Tuesday
Read: Romans 15
“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” Vs 2
Paul is continuing his message from the last chapter. We are stilling looking at the responsibility of those who are “stronger” or more “mature” Christians helping those who are weak. Not by criticizing them, but by helping to build them up. Remember that Christ didn’t live to please himself, but rather He lived to help others. If Christ is our example, then we need to put how He lived into practice.
Look at Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus did not live to please himself, he gave up so much for us; humbling himself, leaving His place in glory to that we might be able to live in glory with Him. If Christ can do that for us, then we must be willing to think of others first, so that we can follow His example.
Rather than arguing with another Christian or put them down because they don’t understand, we should try to help build them up, encourage them to study the scriptures more. Arguing just frustrates people and very little is ever resolved.
And when we respond to people of the world with love and grace, it just leaves them defenseless. It makes them know there isn’t anything they can do against a child of God, whose eyes are focused on Jesus. There is nothing they can say or do that will steal our joy, if we don’t let them. Because our hope is not in the things of the world, but in the glory of the next.
Paul goes on to offer a prayer for the believers to help them deal with the task of getting along. He recognizes that this is something that will require the help of the Holy Spirit to accomplish in us. (vs 13)
I always find it so exciting to recognize that every time we are given a commandment or instruction we also have been given the ability to accomplish it through the power of the Holy Spirit. God never asks us to face these things on our own.
Paul gives us his reason for writing this letter. It was not to criticize them for not doing what was right or that he thought they couldn’t discern between right and wrong. Actually the opposite was true, he was writing them to encourage them to continue on doing what they already knew was right.
Paul also includes a request that they remember him in prayer for the work that he is doing, which is to “preach the good news wherever the Name of Christ has not been heard.”
What a great joy it is to be able to pray for the missionary work of others. We might not all be able to be on the mission field, but we can pray for those who are. Our church will be sending out two mission groups this summer, and we need to be in prayer for them. When there are people out spreading the gospel, they are constantly under attack by the evil one. Satan likes nothing more than to try to prevent God’s work from being done and where better than when we are away from the security of our home. So, let us never grow tired or neglectful of praying for each other, encouraging one another, and living our lives only for Christ.
Grace and Peace
Pastor Kathy