There are a lot of pleasant things in life: a good laugh, finishing a task, enjoying time with family and friends, a walk in the park. There are also many ways to "please" ourselves: an extra scoop of ice cream, reading a good book, earning extra money, vegetating in front of the television. But the question remains, what is Paul talking about?
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1 (NIV)Read verse one in the Bible translation called the Message, and pleasing becomes doing what is most convenient for oneself as a matter of status. This means not going the extra mile to help someone as in the parable of the Good Samaritan. It means believing that my strong faith is better employed only advancing my own desires rather than helping those who need encouragement.
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Romans 15:2 (NIV)Being pleasing means we are actively thinking of of the activity or subject we have set our aims upon. Building someone up is the means we employ to build confidence in someone, especially giving them notice when they do something right. Jesus does this by gladly accepting insults thrown at us so we don't become discouraged in our faith.
The Life Application Commentary defines people with a stronger faith as those who "understand their freedom in Christ" and "realize that true obedience comes from the heart and conscience of each individual" not from how well one engages with rituals and traditions but in being sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Those of a stronger faith are to build up faith in others in order to keep the weaker from being discouraged. What a profound idea: lifting up people instead of beating them down. In a world that thrives on skepticism how does this play out in your life?
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 (NIV)I love how verse four draws us back to Scripture as a means of teaching and building up faith. For Paul, the past writings are the writings of the Old Testament. For us, we have the benefit of reading canonized writings handed down for a few millennium. What a past to draw from. The scriptures are for giving hope in order to build up endurance and encouragement. To tear people down is to fail to give the hope that is in Christ. I pray that I forever remember this.
Verses 5-12, tell us why all of this is important. One word - UNITY! Through unity we can worship with one heart and our mouths can glorify God. God supplies our encouragement and endurance because of His desire for relationship. Unity requires acceptance of the weak, the strong, the Jew, and the Gentile. Verses 7-12 further remind us of God's promise to be the God of the Jews and the hope of the Gentiles.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)Verse 13 is a prayer of encouragement. Unity in Christ opens the door of hope from God that fills us with joy and peace as we trust in Him. Can you think of anything more pleasing? God wants us to overflow with hope and has given us the Holy Spirit whose power stirs it up!
Overflowing with Hope! There is where we should stand and find true life. There is where we should dwell all the days of our lives.
- What would happen if the world had more hope?
- Who is going to take this hope to the world?
- How have you encouraged someone today? How can you?
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