Paul's "No" Answer

There is Scriptural evidence that Paul wrote his letter to the Romans because He was not permitted to visit them.  Romans 13:1a  I want you to know dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now.  For some reason Paul was told "No." to his desire to visit the church in Rome.  Perhaps there was a very good reason for this 'No."  Perhaps the book of Romans would not have been written if Paul was permitted to go when he first desired to head to Rome.

Think about this "No" answer for a while.  What if Paul was permitted to go to Rome and we never had the book of Romans?  How different would all of Christendom look?  Would we still be under the dogma of salvation by works?  Would Martin Luther never have given us the revelation of salvation by faith?  Would we all be living in doubt of our salvation, relying on some obscure, unknowable scale as to whether or not we measured up or earned enough points to enter Heaven?   We would never have had the understanding that righteousness came through faith alone, not by our acts, even our best acts being as filthy rags compared to God's holiness.  Romans 1:17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”  Isaiah 64:6  But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.  The understanding of God's grace and unmerited favor may have been lost to us.

Wow.  What a "No" answer this was.  And what a blessing it was.  "No" answers are like that when they are from God.  I doubt very much that Paul understood why he was not permitted to visit the Roman Christians, but I know he trusted God's plan.  Millions upon millions maybe even billions have benefited from this "No" that Paul received and obeyed.  It's truly amazing.

Lord, help us to see Your "noes" as blessings rather than hindrances.  Let us remember You are God.  Instead of pouting, getting annoyed, stamping our feet, let us say "yes" to Your "no."  Give us obedient and trusting hearts, hearts that remain at peace when we hear "no" from You.  Thank You for saying "no" to Paul, we have all been so blessed, amazingly blessed through the ages.  What a wonderful God You are, all knowing, all wisdom, all desire to bless Your children!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Thank God for the "noes."

Romans 3:21-22  But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;