I have written you quite boldly on some points. (Romans 15:15)
In recent visits we have seen that the apostle Paul maintained discipline in his life by establishing a purpose or mission statement. This would be his passion. He also established some goals for his life and work. As we saw in our previous study Paul's goals were to reach the un-reached, to establish and equip the believers so they could help in the evangelistic task and to see the Christians working together in harmony and mutual support.
With those goals in mind he then established Measurable Objectives. They were precise enough so that when they were completed he could check them off as having been done. Note what they were in Romans 15.
1. Write a letter to equip believers for ministry (vv. 14, 15). When he sent this letter, he could check off that objective.
2. Saturate one area with the gospel before reaching out to another (v. 19). Since that was finished, he set his sights on a new area, Spain (vv. 23, 24). When he arrived in Spain he could check that one off.
3. Deliver the famine relief to the church in Jerusalem (vv. 25, 26). Again he could check it off when he arrived and delivered the offering.
4. Be delivered from unbelievers in Judea (v. 31). When he left Judea alive he could check it off.
5. Visit Rome and get assistance from the church to go to Spain (v. 24). When these were accomplished, he could check them off his list.
Do you have some goals you're working on? Do you have some measurable objectives that when done will result in your goals being accomplished? You should if you want a fruitful and fulfilling life.
