I love the way the Apostle Paul brings so much direction for living into his letters. It makes me think the early church were in need of much help! It’s such a transformation to surrender one’s life and will to Jesus, and then have Him ask you to submit to others also.
Here’s a passage that is a good example:
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
(Romans 15: 1-7)
There are many key thoughts in this passage, as Paul often does, but I want to highlight just a couple. (I wonder what others you see?)
We who are strong have an obligation to help others with their journey.
Ps Danny Guglielmucci from Edge Church, Adelaide, said it well recently in a Leaders’ Meeting I was sitting in. He said, “sometimes you’re the one that needs to offer care to others, and sometimes you’re the one on the stretcher.” What he meant was the community of faith must take care each other. When your brother or sister is not feeling strong, or well, or capable, you are obliged to help.
Paul quotes Psalm 69:9 when he says, “the insults directed at you also fall on me.” He’s saying that we are kindred people. That makes complete sense when you remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, together. This requires us to stand with each other and for each other.
Finally, he asks God to strengthen us by referring to God as “the God of endurance and grace”—because that’s what we will need to journey together! If we are going to live in harmony (unique within our oneness) then it’s going to take God’s help. Extra grace is always required.
Some of you may be thinking “what’s going wrong for the Pastor to be highlighting these points?” and I’m pleased to say there is no specific situation or issue. It’s always a good reminder for us to remember that we are called by God to live together for His Name’s glory, and how we live together is the message the world sees.