Harmony / Romans 12:16

The church is like a symphony. We each have different talents. We each have a unique contribution like the sound of an instrument. When we come together to use our gifts, the result is powerful. Like the full sound of a symphony.

There are two things that make a symphony work. Getting in tune. And staying in time.

At the beginning, there is a brief flurry of chaos as all of the instruments tune their instruments. This moment is crucial because, once the symphony begins, if you’re out of tune, you could ruin the whole event.

Once the music begins, the conductor ensures that the timing and rhythm are unified for all players.

As the church, if we stay in tune with the Word of God and keep our eyes on the Son of God, we will beautifully display the gospel to a watching world.

Unfortunately, the church in Rome seems to have gotten out of tune. Their timing is out of whack because they’ve taken their eyes off of Jesus.

So Paul wrote,

16 Live in harmony with one another.

The church in Rome had people of different ethic backgrounds and social status. Some were Jews. Some were Greeks. Some were poor. Others were wealthy. How is this group supposed to get along?

The only way they can have unity despite their diversity is to understand the gospel.

A person who looks down at another does not understand the gospel. We were not saved because we were better people, come from a certain class, or have enough money. We were all saved by grace.

So I can be in harmony with instruments that look and sound different than me as long as we are looking to the same conductor.

In fact, our differences only add to the fullness and beauty of the sound when we are in harmony.

Who would want to hear a hundred tuba’s anyways?

Don’t look down on others because they come from a different background or have different talents. Be thankful! Their unique contribution benefits the community!

Here’s how Paul put it....

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

Here is a good test to see if you’re haughty. Do you associate with the lowly?

How do you treat people who don’t make you look cooler? People who have nothing to offer you in return?

The word associate is convicting. To associate yourself with someone is far more than a smile and a wave. When you’re associated, you’re involved.

For many of us, we do the opposite of associating with the poor and the outcasts. We’re embarrassed to even be seen with them. We don’t look them in the eyes. We don’t invite them to sit with us, because it will harm our appearance.

This spirit is prideful, haughty, and acts superior. Notice that I said, acts superior.

To be embarrassed to be around people that don’t make you look better reveals your insecurities. It reveals your deep intimidation to admit your own humanity.

In seeking to act like you’re a god, you’re doing the opposite acts that God would do.

God left the highest power and glory in heaven to not only associate with humanity, but to become human. On earth, Jesus was known as the friend of tax collectors and sinners. He was so secure in God’s love for him, that he did not live to impress others or seem cool.

Do you believe that God died for you?

Do you believe that God adopted you into his family?

Do you believe that God entrusts you to be his ambassador?

Do you believe that God calls you his child?

If you do, then why are you so intimidated to talk with those who are a little weird? To love the unloveable? This is the least we could do considering God’s association with us.

This is possible as long as we don’t think of ourselves too highly, here is how Paul put it...

Never be wise in your own sight.

This verse does not say, “never be wise”, but it does say, “never be wise in your own sight.”

One practical reason this is a bad idea is because if you are wise in your own sight, it will keep you from wisdom.

We grow in wisdom through a hunger for knowledge and a willingness to listen to those wiser than us.

If you are smug about your own wisdom, you’re a fool and you will not grow in wisdom.

Here is quote I love about this principle, "The person who is wise in his own eyes is rarely so in the eyes of other people." - Morris

If you want to be wise, you cannot be wise in your own sight.

Instead, listen and ask good questions.

Here is one of my favorite Proverbs (17:27-28):

“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Even if you’re a big dumb dumb, restraining your words make you appear wise.

I’d rather learn from those who are willing to listen than from those who are eager to share.

Jesus had all knowledge, look at what he did when he was a teen, “they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

Wait a second, they were amazed at his answers? I thought he was asking the questions?

When you are hungry for knowledge, people will be interested to learn from you.

You will only be hungry for wisdom, if you’re not already wise in your own sight.

All of us want to be a part of something big. We want the song of our life to matter. It’s tempting to think that if we set our own tone or live in our own tempo, we’ll stand out. Instead, this leads to loneliness at best and feelings of superiority at worst.

Do you want to do something big with your life? Live in harmony with others.

Do you want to be great? Associate with the lowly.

Do you want to be wise? Never be wise in your own sight.