Today we end our Guiding Principles series and these few
chapters from Paul’s communication with the believers in Rome have been rich!
We’ve learned that we must engage the uncomfortable –
presenting our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord, ready for all that He
allows and ordains in our lives. In so doing, we also live humbly before God.
This allows us to see ourselves and others as God sees us. It also allows us to
be used by Him. We should be led to advocate for others; not to cause strife,
especially among believers! We are to live upright before the Lord – concerned
about our conduct rather than judging the conduct of others. We are to do things
“decent and in order”, to respect authority, and to seek the Lord’s guidance
when we must deal with those who abuse their power. We are to be led by love and peace.
In Romans 15 Paul continues the theme of caring for others. He
says that he strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak. I love the
translation in the Living Bible: “we must bear the ‘burden’ of being
considerate of the doubts and fears of others.” We are to make a decision that
we will be considerate of the concerns of others. Yes, we have the liberty to
live freely in Christ but, as Paul said in chapter 14, we ought not to do that
if it will cause a brother to stumble. Paul’s desire is that we would have the
mind of Christ – humble, desiring to glorify God.
Along these same lines, we are encouraged to accept one
another just as Christ accepted us – to the glory of the Father. This is a tall
order. To accept! Not tolerate…not “deal with”…not put up with one another. But
to accept AS CHRIST ACCEPTED US. How did Christ accept us? Well, He loved us so
dearly that He died for us. Christ understood our utter depravity and need for
a Savior and because of that, He gave His life on our behalf. And He now looks
forward to eternity with us! Scripture is clear that it is not God’s desire
that anyone should die without having a saving relationship with Him. He loves
us! So, like Christ, our hearts should be moved past what we experience with our 5
senses and “see” others through the Spirit. And in so doing, we will be moved
to desire the best for others – to love them and desire that they spend their
eternity with God.
Continuing in a similar vein, Paul talks to the believers in
Rome about ministry to those who may be different from us, that we may categorize as outcasts - those we see on the
fringes of society as tough cases. It may be even as simple as those who dress
differently, talk differently, or even smell different than we do! In the
context of this scripture, Paul was speaking of ministry to the Gentiles
(non-Jews) but what is it in your context? Who falls in one of those fringe
categories for you? Think about it. Pray about it. If the Lord reveals to you a
group that you’ve marginalized, repent and then pray about how you might
minister the life-altering love of Christ to those people.
Paul concludes this portion of his letter telling the
believers of his desire and intention to visit them. He’s been travelling and
has run out of places, in the region where he’s been, to preach the gospel to
those who’ve not yet heard it! He’s headed to Spain and tells of the wonderful
generosity of believers that he’s been with. He asks the believers in Rome to
join him in prayer to be kept safe from unbelievers and that what he is
delivering to the believers in Spain will be well received. This is the final
guiding principle: be in fellowship with other believers, care for one another,
pray for one another, provide for one another, and honor one another’s service
to God. We need each other. We were not designed to be an island; we were
designed for intimate, wise, God-honoring relationship with one another.
Let these relational principles guide you.
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