Romans 15:1-7
New International Version (NIV)
15 We who are strong
ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please
ourselves. 2 Each of us
should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For
even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those
who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4 For everything that was
written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance
taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and
encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ
Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ
accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15%3A1+-7&version=NIV)
Have you ever wondered why
some people seem to struggle all the time while others seem to always have it
together? Have you wondered why some
people are rich with fancy homes and nice vehicles while others struggle to
make ends meet and sometimes don’t even have a home? Does it seem that sometimes life is just
unfair?
These verses tell us a lot
about why these things happen and it is for one reason, to glorify God. How can we glorify God when we are at our
worst? By letting others help us through
those times. Shutting people out of our
lives because we don’t have it together is not glorifying God. How do we glorify God when we have it all
together? By helping others not
insulting them.
Each of us, no matter our
situation, can be of strength to one another.
I have friends who struggle in life and they constantly remind me that
God is good and all will be okay. I have
seen more faith in the “weak” than I have seen in those who appear to be
“strong”. So, not necessarily is the one
that seems to have it all together by way of wealth the one who is strong!
Sometimes when we are strong
via riches we adopt the attitude that we deserve what we have. We have worked hard to get what we have and
we don’t have to share. Well the
scripture puts that idea to rest. We
have because God has blessed us. We have
in order to share with others what God has blessed us with. If we all got what we deserved not one of us
would have anything. This also goes for
those of us who have had the privilege of being raised in the church, became a
Christian at a young age, always went to Sunday school and church
services. We may tend to think that we
are better than those who did not have that honor. Well, we are not. We have in order to share
not to look down on those who do not have.
Wealth does not come in the
form of money. Wealth comes in the way
of spiritual gifts, knowledge, wisdom, and only through a close relationship
with Christ. When we are one with
Christ, we are wealthy and we are strong.
It is our responsibility to share that with others. Remember Peter and John in Acts 3?
3 One day
Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in
the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame
from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was
put every day to beg from those going into the 4 Peter looked
straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to
get something from them.
6 Then Peter
said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him
by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles
became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet
and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and
jumping, and praising God. 9 When all
the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they
recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate
called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had
happened to him.
As I read these words
today, something stood out that has never stood out to me before, the words,
“Peter looked straight at him, as did John” when was the last time I looked
straight at someone in need? Further
more, when was the last time I told them about the love of Christ? I may not be able to help them get up and
walk but I can through the work of the Holy Spirit, guide them to a new life. I can give of my resources, be it time,
money, understanding, knowledge, we are not here to have an easy life but to
glorify our Lord and Savior.
What are we doing to
share that with others? Seek Him and
know Him that you may share His love and forgiveness with others.
Seeking Him with all my
heart,
Sheila
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