IMITATE CHRIST IN DEALING OTHERS - ROMANS 15:1-13

III. DUTIFUL THE GOSPEL LIVED OUT - Romans 12-16 F. In Relation to Other Believers (14:1-15:13) III. IMITATE CHRIST IN DEALING OTHERS -15:1-13 1. The Strong in Faith should bear those who are Weak-v1-4 2. Accept each other and be United in Glorifying God -v5-7 3. Praise God in His Covenant to Israel and Mercy to Gentiles -v8-13 1. The Strong in Faith should bear those who are Weak-v1-4 • In v1-4. Paul summarized the previous discussion (chap. 14) by saying, We who are strong (obviously in convictions and conscience) ought to bear with the failings of the weak in faith. (pres. tense, emphasizing continuing obligation; its first position in the sentence underscores its importance). • v1: Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves. The strong should not despise the weak; they should bear with them. Also the strong should not seek to please themselves. • Paul quoted a part of a verse from a messianic psalm (Ps. 69:9) to support his admonition. This is the example the Lord Jesus Christ left. Even He did not please Himself. He came "to do the will" of the Father who sent Him (John 4:34) and to please Him (John 5:30; 8:29). • Christ was insulted by others because of His associations with God the Father. Then Paul stated a significant principle concerning the purpose and ministry of the Scriptures: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us (lit., "for our instruction"). TRUTH TO PONDER As Christians learn from the past (what is written in the OT about others who did not please themselves) they are motivated to endure and be comforted in the present, looking ahead in hope (confidence) to the future. 2. Accept each other and be United in Glorifying God -v5-7 • Paul prayed that God would give his readers a spirit of unity (lit., "to think the same", "live in harmony,") as they follow Christ Jesus. • The ultimate purpose of this unity was that with one heart and mouth (a unity of inward feeling and outward expression) they would glorify (pres. tense, "keep on glorifying") the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the final purpose of Christians individually and of the church corporately (cf. Rom. 15:7; 1 Cor. 6:20; 2 Thes. 1:12). • Since the goal of interpersonal relationships among Christians is a unified glorying of God, Paul concluded his commands with Accept one another (pres. imper., "keep on accepting or receiving one another"). Significantly this is the same command Paul gave the strong Christians when he opened this entire discussion (14:1). TRUTH TO PONDER The Model of acceptance for Christians, however, is the Lord Jesus, who accepted us. The Lord received believers when they were not only "powerless" ("weak") but also "ungodly" (5:6), "sinners" (5:8), and "enemies" (5:10). Certainly Christians can receive others who differ with them on nonessential matters. Jesus Christ received them so that they can bring praise to God (lit., "unto glory of God"), which is the purpose of Christian unity (15:6). 3. Praise God in His Covenant to Israel and Mercy to Gentiles -v8-13 In v8-12. Having pointed to the Lord Jesus as the Model for Christians, Paul proceeded to discuss Jesus' ministry and its objectives. God had two objectives to accomplish through Jesus' ministry. • The first was to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs (cf. 9:4-5). • God's second objective in Christ's ministry was so that the Gentiles may glorify God (cf. 15:6) for His mercy. • In v9-12, To demonstrate the validity of his statement concerning the ministry of Christ and its purposes, particularly the one relating to Gentiles, the Apostle Paul quoted four Old Testament passages, these quotations are taken from all three divisions of the Old Testament- the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms" (Luke 24:44) and from three great Jewish heroes: Moses, David, and Isaiah. (see notes). PAUL'S BENEDICTORY PRAYER 13Now 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. • The description of God as the God of hope relates to hope, the promises of God recorded in the Scripture which give hope (v. 4). • Paul desired God to his readers with all joy and peace (cf. 14:17). Joy relates to the delight of anticipation in seeing one's hopes fulfilled. Peace results from the assurance that God will fulfill those hopes (cf. 5:1; Phil. 4:7). • These are experienced as believers trust in Him (cf. Heb. 11:1). As a result believers overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 15:19). • The achievement of all God's purposes for the spiritual welfare of His children comes from the power given by the Spirit of God. • What a fitting closing reminder of the apostle's discussion of Christian living.