Welcome one another

Welcome one another....live in harmony.

We are coming right off the last one another. Honor one another, where Paul started discussing the weak and strong believers. When I think of the word strong or weak, I immediately think of sheer power or strength. I would be willing to say that you also think of the same thing.

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The power to resist or endure.

Romans 15:1–7 ESV

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached 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. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Enduring others, while resisting pleasing ourselves. This is the mark of being strong or weak in the faith.

Please our neighbor for their good, to build them up.

Christ is our example. He can be seen as physically weak. He didn’t fight back. He didn’t please himself. He chose to face disapproval and insult. Those that actively disapproved and insulted God, Jesus chose to step into.

The example is from

How do we welcome each other? You take the burden, bear the weight, endure the action of pleasing your neighbor (anyone that comes into your home) and resist pleasing yourself. What does that mean? To the one who is talkative, listen. The one who needs time, give. To the marriage that is struggling, invest. This isn’t easy. But we chose to do exactly what Christ did. Come to serve all.