By Dean Collins
So, which side are you on? No, I’m not talking about the election, although I believe this passage in Romans would apply there as well. Paul’s instruction to the church is clear: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).
Back to my first question: Are you on the strong side or the weak side?
Paul spends most of chapter 14 and part of chapter 15 discussing differences among believers concerning what foods could or could not be eaten and whether it mattered which days they chose to observe. Some were concerned about meat that had been sacrificed to idols and whether a follower of Jesus could or should eat it. The specific issue Paul addressed may not be a concern for many believers today. However, differences of opinion and the divisions they cause remain as significant as ever, if not more so.
It seems to me that Paul’s wisdom in this passage suggests that, regardless of our positions, things would be much better in the church and the world if each of us chose not to make pleasing ourselves our highest priority. Instead, we should seek to serve, love, and build up others, regardless of which side of an argument they are on.
Paul reminds us that Christ did not please Himself but took upon Himself the reproaches of others for our good. If Jesus had sought only to take care of or please Himself, He would not have laid down His life for our sake. What would it look like to focus on serving others instead of ourselves? Here are a few questions to consider:
When dealing with family, church, or community, do we prioritize people or positions?
When we believe someone is immature in their faith, do we seek to love and mentor that person, or do we reject them because of an unpleasant opinion, attitude, or behavior?
When we think about our country and our world, do we look first to our political affiliation or to Jesus to shape our attitudes?
Do we seek to unite with others, or are we more concerned with correcting them?
We can’t forget Paul’s words about hope: “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” (Romans 15:4).
Based on the preceding verses, Paul clearly had in mind what was written about Jesus and His endurance through suffering, which led to His death and then to His resurrection. His example is tremendously helpful when we struggle with our own issues and our relationships with others. We can’t simply push people aside. Instead, we must follow Jesus’ example by enduring for the sake of others.
It is hard to read this passage without thinking about Jesus’ prayer in John 17, where He prayed that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one.
What would happen if, over the next few days and weeks, perhaps as we approach the new year, we made it a priority to pray for greater unity among Christians in our country and around the world? What if we set aside the systems and divisions of the world, fixed our minds on Jesus and His kingdom, and prayed for and practiced unity for an entire month?
My guess is that two things would happen. First, our hearts would be transformed to become more like Jesus. Second, we would begin to see others more as Jesus sees them.
Father, please help us avoid the toxic and divisive attitudes and behaviors that have become so prevalent on social media, in our conversations, and even in churches across the country. Today, we seek You first. We want to know You better, love You more, and see and love others the way You do. Unite us in Jesus. May our lives reveal hearts and minds that seek to glorify You. Build us up, unite Your church, and equip us to live in such harmony that the world may come to know You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Romans 15:1–7 ESV
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