Romans 15: Responsibilty Of A Mature Believer
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Now in review of Romans 14 to start off 15 we talked about how there things people feel strongly about and convicted that are not in the Bible. A disputable matter. Or maybe a gray area.
We used many examples but another one that I heard recently we should wear our Sunday best as a offering that is pleasing to God.
No wear in the Bible does it say what you should wear to church other that what would be appropriate to wear in general.
I wear what I wear because I like it. Also I’m mindful of where I’m at and because some have certain convictions I’ll wear certain clothes.
There are things we have to do even when we do not want to so our weak brothers and sisters can grow. We should never impose our convictions that are outside the Word of God on them and cause them to stumble.
I played guitar with a group of guys at one week one street benefit concert Friday and before we went up on stage we prayed off to the side and the guys who had hats on took them off to pray as a respect to God. Well there is no where in the Word of God that says to take off your hat.
So guess what. I took mine off. Not for myself and God but for them and their benefit.
Now if someone came to me and said I feel the liberty in Christ to cheat on my spouse. I would say om noooo. That’s clear in the Word of God.
Romans 15:1 (ESV)
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak (the immature believer from chapter 14) , and not to please ourselves (only use the law of liberty).
Romans 15:2 (ESV)
2 Let each of us (as strong believers) please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
We are not to be man pleasers and yet we are. Ones negative and the other is positive depending your motive. The negative is pleasing your neighbor for your benefit. The other is pleasing your neighbor for their benefit.
This isn’t easy. We are talking about often forgoing our freedoms that we have in Christ for the sake of others. And not please ourselves.
The obligation is on the part of the mature believer.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
3 For even Christ did not please Himself. But as it is written, “The insults of those who insulted You fell on Me.”
4 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.
The Old Testament strongly teaches patience in the life of faith. Patience with others and God.
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Like mindedness comes from knowledge of the scripture.
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The word in our heart causes us to think like Jesus. Then to speak and act like Him. Our thoughts glorify God as well as our actions.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Just as God has welcomed us into His family we need to welcome others into our church family. No matter how weak they are in the faith. Our love for one another gives Glory to God.
8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,
9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, And I will sing to Your name.”
10 Again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”
11 And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him.”
12 Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”
Paul is saying in verses 8 through 12 that the mature believer in the Church age understands God’s dealings with the Gentiles as well as Jews throughout Old and New Testament history.
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Believing accesses peace and joy. Its required to live in peace and joy. Grace and faith will give you access to the power of God.
14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.
We cannot admonish without knowledge. Counsel to others demands knowing the Word of God.
15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.
13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,