A surrendered life is basic Christianity.

A life surrendered...

Dwight L. Moody is famous for having said, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man."

Paul made three statements that show what the surrendered life looks like (as taken from the ESV):
"I am under obligation..." (Romans 1:14)
"...I am eager..." (Romans 1:15)
"...I am not ashamed..." (Romans 1:16)

Those three "I am" realties in Paul's life shaped his outlook on every person, every circumstance, and every day.

Paul was faithful to the obligations of the gospel. Paul saw himself in debt to Jesus. The KJV puts Romans 1:14 like this: "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." Paul felt like he owed the world a debt because salvation through Christ and the love of God had changed EVERYTHING for and in him. Of Romans 1:14, John Gill said, "The meaning is, that [Paul] was obliged by the call he had from God, the injunction that was laid upon him by him, and the gifts with which he was qualified, to preach the Gospel to all sorts of men.."

Do you feel the weight of that debt upon your breast?

Because Paul felt that debt, Paul longed to fulfill it. The NASB states Romans 1:15 like this: "So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome." Adrian Rogers said (something like), "Paul was a great witness because he was part of the evidence." Think about that for a second. Paul's life was different because of God! Paul would never be ashamed of something that had changed him and had brought him close to the living God. As a matter of fact, Paul was EAGER and READY to preach the gospel! Of this verse, Matthew Henry said, "[Paul] was not deterred by any fear; nor was he indifferent to their welfare; but he was under the direction of God. and as far as he gave him opportunity, he was ready to make known to them the gospel..."

Do you feel any desire to share the gospel with others?

The HCSB records Romans 1:16 thusly: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek." We might very well be ashamed of ourselves, but we have no reason to be ashamed of the gospel! We don't have to be ashamed of Jesus, for He saves. We don't have to be ashamed before others, because they don't save, but they could be saved!

Albert Barnes said, "People should be ashamed of crime and folly. They are ashamed of their own offences, and of the follies of their conduct, when they come to reflect on it. But they are not ashamed of what they feel to be right, and of what they know will contribute to their welfare, and to the benefit of their fellow-men."

Are you so unashamed of the gospel that you don't share it?

There you have it, dear hearts. Paul had a surrendered life, and the proof was that he felt a debt to Christ, he was eager to pay it, and he was not ashamed of the product or person for whom he labored.

Aye! Amen! Me too! I am not ashamed! I long to share Jesus! I am eager to pay my debt to mankind! Praise God! Hallelujah!

Father, give me the faith to live a surrendered life, and, Father, do whatever with and through me as would please You and bring You glory.