Berean Standard Bible
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
Grace and peace to you, beloved brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It is with profound joy and reverence that I write to you today, a people set apart for the glory of God, consecrated by His Spirit, and united through the unsearchable riches of His mercy. Though we are scattered across different places, cultures, and circumstances, we are bound together by the eternal truth of the gospel of His Son. In this bond, I echo the words of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans: “For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you.” (Romans 1:9)
Let us first contemplate the gravity of what it means to serve God with our spirit. This service transcends the superficial, the occasional, and the half-hearted. It is not simply a matter of external observance or public piety but the total surrender of the inner self—our hearts, minds, and souls—to the One who is worthy of all praise. True service begins in the unseen chambers of our being, where the Spirit of God works to transform us into the image of Christ. It is here, in the depths of our spirit, that we are called to worship, to obey, and to proclaim His truth with fervor and boldness.
Beloved, consider the gospel to which Paul—and indeed all of us—are called to dedicate our lives. It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16). It is the message that reconciles us to our Creator, redeems us from the penalty of sin, and grants us the glorious inheritance of eternal life. How can we not, then, devote ourselves wholly to this calling? How can we not proclaim it with the urgency and passion it deserves? Let us never grow complacent in sharing the good news but commit ourselves afresh each day to be ambassadors of Christ in every sphere of life.
Paul speaks of his constant remembrance of the believers in Rome, and in this, we find a profound lesson. The act of remembering is an act of love. To pray for one another, to intercede on each other’s behalf, is to participate in the divine work of sustaining and strengthening the body of Christ. Just as Paul carried the needs and joys of his fellow believers to the throne of grace, so too are we called to bear one another’s burdens in prayer. Let us not underestimate the power of these prayers, for they ascend as a sweet aroma before the Lord and bear fruit in the lives of those for whom we intercede.
In this, dear brothers and sisters, lies the beauty of our faith—it is never solitary, but always communal. We are one body, joined together by the Spirit, each member essential and beloved. As we serve God in spirit, let us also serve one another, encouraging, edifying, and exhorting each other to remain steadfast in the faith. When one of us falters, let us extend a hand to lift them up. When one of us rejoices, let us join in their celebration. In all things, let love be the bond that unites us.
But let us not forget that our service is not without cost. To serve God in spirit requires sacrifice—the surrender of our will to His, the laying down of our own desires in favor of His purpose, the endurance of trials for the sake of His glory. Yet even in the midst of these sacrifices, we find joy, for we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. We serve a God who is faithful, who sees every act of devotion, and who rewards those who diligently seek Him.
As I close this letter, I urge you, beloved, to examine your hearts and renew your commitment to the God who has called you by His grace. Let us not grow weary in doing good, but press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Let us be a people who serve with our whole being, who proclaim the gospel with courage, who remember one another in prayer, and who live lives worthy of the calling we have received.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.