We seem to continue down the line of discussing our conduct amongst ourselves, pausing only in Romans 13, it seems, to focus on our conduct with authorities – to put it simply we’re to submit to them as they are where they are, not because of anything they have done, but primarily because of God… and when you put it that way, the ultimate way to submit is to pray for them.
And really, when you think about it, we’d also be achieving a whole lot more when it comes to conduct amongst ourselves and others, when we pray for each other, and for others.
We offer ourselves as living sacrifices by way of prayer, thanking our good Shepherd for making us holy and acceptable unto God.
As we pray, I believe we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. I also believe that when we pray, we come to a realization, a clearer picture of what gifts we have. We become more thankful and grateful and appreciate others for their own gifts as well.
The privilege of prayer keeps us from being overcome by evil, and by prayer, we overcome evil with good.
The main point of the first half of Romans 13 is an opportunity for us to see just how great an opportunity we have to have a permanent communication line with our Creator.
We submit to our leaders, and all authorities placed over us by praying for them – and, on the other hand, I believe that any ill will we do have towards them is slowly but surely adjusted, as we realize that we are consulting and conversing with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; I believe prayer is one way for us to realize that though we may believe those above us do not have our best interests in mind, the One who is above all is for us – therefore, in the long run, who can be against us?
We love others by praying for others, and we love each other by praying for each other.
And, of course, we demonstrate self-love, just by praying.
We never waste our time praying. Consequently, it could also be one of the best ways for us to use our precious time. Time intentionally spent with our God and Father is good.
I’m sorry, I wasn’t really supposed to go that deep regarding prayer… but, hey, I suppose it’s a good and proper reminder for all of us, don’t you think?
Anyway, okay. Besides talking about submission to those placed over us, the other main point I see when it comes to our response to God’s glory and grace is our behavior to those on our level – I believe it applies to an extent to those outside of the body of Christ, but it seems as if we’re to place additional focus on our brethren who are with us, IN the body, IN the Church.
In Romans 14 we’ve been reminded by Paul to welcome one and all, no matter where they fare when it comes to their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and His finished work. We’re to remind them that their observance of days, and maintaining of certain diets may bring some benefit, it is Christ and ONLY Christ that holds us together, and is worthy of all our honor and worship.
At the same time, we reminded of how we shouldn’t be the first ones to ‘make them stumble’; that is, We shouldn’t eat pork in front of anyone we’ve welcomed who, in his ‘weak’ mind, still takes offense when he sees someone eat pork, much more so if it was a believer… Romans 14:15 says, ‘For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.’
We ought to be staying away from judging others ourselves, but we shouldn’t be going around giving our brethren reasons to judge us, either. Paul says that we should be intentional in never putting a ‘stumbling block’, or a ‘hindrance in the way of a brother’ (Romans 14:13); on the other hand, we should always emphasize, by our words, and especially our actions, that “if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)…
…We love one another by reminding ourselves and each other of the priority of Christ; His glory both precedes and supersedes all that we think is important, and His grace was what welcomed us, and welcomed our brethren, regardless of how weak we once were. By loving one another and constantly reminding ourselves of the priority of Christ, we would all eventually declare the same thing Paul declared:
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.Romans 14:17
Now with that in mind, we can really move on to Romans 15, where it states, as early as its first verses, that on top of our welcoming each other, we’re to be patient with each other, and we’re to build each other up:
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.
Romans 15:1-6
Here, we’re reminded of Christ, whom Paul specified ‘did not please Himself’ – or, in other words, He didn’t necessarily step out of His glory to be born as one of us to take a sort of vacation cruise in this reality (in fact, it’d probably be more of a desert safari than a cruise!); He came with intention, and endured our weaknesses, even going as far as to take our reproaches (our shame, our disgrace).
What determination! So, because Christ endured us, and so much more, we’re able to endure. And, more importantly, through Christ’s finished work, we can count on our Father to help us – not only to endure with each other, but also to encourage one another.
As Christ has and is enduring and encouraging us, we’re to endure with and encourage each other, that we may all glorify the Father in harmony.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
Romans 15:7-12
Christ was and continues, and will always be enduring us and encouraging us. However, I feel as if Paul takes some additional time here to emphasize that His finished work was a gigantic effort; By His birth, death, resurrection and ascension, He literally subjected ALL of Himself to the people of Israel (‘the circumcised’) – ‘to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy‘
Indeed, through Christ, may all of us – weak in the faith or not, Jew or Gentile… may ALL of us sing to His name, with one voice glorifying the Father of our Lord and Savior!
With all that in mind, I believe this is Paul’s prayer for all of us as well:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)
Now, I’m looking at the rest of this Chapter, and it seems at around this time, Paul is winding down and transitioning to close the entire epistle. I’m not sure if I should go any further; I will, most likely, because there are still some great points to gather – besides, they weren’t included in the rest of the Scripture for nothing…
…But I feel this is a good place for me to stop, for now. For this coming Sunday, October 12. I’ll have October 19 to discuss what I found in Romans 15-16, and then we wrap up on October 26… timely to start a new series, first month of November.
In closing, let me repeat that last verse, as a prayer for all of us who have gone down this great journey through the book of Romans, to this point: May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope. In Jesus’ name, amen and amen.
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