June 5, 2024
Romans 15
Throughout our studies, over the years, we have discussed ways to glorify God. We have learned in our own strength we cannot accomplish this; it becomes too wearisome; making us to again surrender to the will of God, asking for forgiveness for our pride and allowing the Spirit to intercede, thus allowing God to glorify Himself through us by the Spirit, a work that only can be done by the Spirit. A repeated lesson that strengthens us to “bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.” (verse 1) Our studies have given us instructions by referring to the promises of the Old Testament that our endurance to wait on God allows us to focus on Christ and His promises to us in reference to the Holy Spirit honoring and glorifying Jesus. The presence of God will fill us with His gift of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
As we continue to be surrendered to God, through the Spirit, we become “stronger” Christians. The peace and patience that follows helps us to respond better to newer Christians who are weaker in their faith. Realizing that on our own merit we cannot glorify God, but through the Spirit, we also depend on the Spirit to be strong for our weaker brother and sister by not offending them by our freedoms in Christ. Jesus is used as an example because He did what He saw the Father do, John 5: 19-20, but He is also used as an argument to tolerate the insults and in this case the “added” things a weaker Christian may believe as a guideline to salvation. So let us celebrate and worship as one, believing in the important aspect of our faith. Food and drink do not and will not save a soul from hell, honoring one day over another will not save, only the blood of Jesus saves and our calling out to Him for salvation. Holding up Christ as an example does not save a person either, but “is in connection with the redeeming grace of God.” The Epistle to the Romans, Stifler, pg 250. In other words, example are our illustrations of how we should be with the promised gifts God promises to give us in His time. Abraham was an example and God continues to enlarge his family today. And Abraham’s faith continued to grow showing his faith as a gift of God’s redeeming grace. And so, we see the example for us to follow as believers to be in unity and in one voice according to the scriptures with other believers just as we are in unity with Christ as the scripture lays out. God’s redeeming grace to us becomes part of Abrahams continuation of redeeming grace.
The joy of reading, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (verse 13) brings me the peace and joy it offers. This world brings me down in several ways and I think that is the intent. That we may seek hope, seek peace, seek joy through our Savior by the strength of the Holy Spirit to live a life that is acceptable to Him because of Him, Romans 5.
The Church in Rome is mostly made up of Gentiles. The previous chapters teach us the differences of Jew and Gentile, not much other than the Jew was given the oracles and responsibilities of God; the saved and unsaved, many differences in morality, beliefs and final eternity destination; the weak and the strong Christian and the available freedom it offers with instruction on when and why to use such freedoms. The Church in Rome is a strong church insomuch that Paul says so, verse 14, but that they need to be reminded of things they already were taught, which is our reminder of instructions learned and practiced in the past need to be studied often. For example, a pilot who has flown 10,000 times still uses a check off list, we also should have a check off list. To hear a sermon preached the same way would cause apathy but a sermon with the same message preached a different way will give thought and consideration to how the message becomes absorbed into our life patterns. Remember what we said years ago; Scripture has one meaning but many applications as the Spirit allows us to apply the message.
To continue the thought from chapter 14 concerning the strong and weak Christian; a strong Christian is a mature Christian. They might be physically strong, but the references are in maturity. A strong Christian can celebrate Christmas traditions but with the focus of Christ and not the commercialism that prevails to most. A Christian can celebrate birthdays with the focus of God’s creation of the person being honored and the blessings God uses him/her greatly to build His kingdom. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day are other examples and opportunities to praise God for all that He has done and to be thankful for His favors on us, asking for continued inspirational opportunities to worship Christ. A strong Christian will recognize that all their freedoms to celebrate should not be taken advantage of in particular circumstances that may frustrate a new believer or dissuade one who is sitting on the fence. I heard someone once say a Christian brother can do more harm in promoting the gospel by the way they live then the atheist. A strong Christian will be in prayer for their actions to be in line with Jesus’. That is why Jesus said, “Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.” John 15: 4. You, strong Christian, pray and think before you act or say anything!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, forgive us of our sin. Forgive us of our lack of study and the immaturity that still abounds in us. Help us to continue to grow, to become all that You have planned for us to become. Help us to be strong Christians in our weakness that You are glorified, that Christ is honored, that the Spirit maybe constantly heard and followed by us for Jesus’ sake.
Amen
-David Mroz
