Reading: Romans 15 & Isaiah 11
Help Others
I started reading Romans 15 today and the first thing I thought of is how we as believers are to bear with one another. We are to look at how to help others and not to be self-seeking. We live in a world in which it is always about me, myself and I. Some have said this generation is the selfie generation, because they are always taking pictures of themselves. But as believers we are called to please our neighbor which will lead to edification. To edify means to instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge. By pleasing our neighbor, we will have opportunity to edify them and draw them into the knowledge of who God is. Our actions can speak louder than our words, which is probably why the sharing of the gospel is to be followed by signs and wonders.
Furthermore, we are to receive one another as Jesus has received us. Now the word receive comes from the word proslambano which means to take to oneself, i.e. use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality): —receive, take (unto). Jesus has called us friends and we are to receive each other in this same respect. It continues to discuss the mercy given to us as Gentiles. We are encouraged to praise God for all the promises that we now have.
Filled with Joy & Peace
The verse that struck out the most to me was this: ‘Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ (Romans 15:13) When I first looked at this I had to break it apart. May the God of hope fill you. Fill me with what? With ALL joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope. How will I abound in hope? By the power of the Holy Spirit.
This gets me so excited because for some believers they have believed on Jesus but have not yet received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (If you are not in a spirit filled church, I pray that you would find one.) The power of the Holy Spirit needs to be allowed to work in us. Unfortunately, many haven fallen into walking in the flesh instead of having peace, joy and hope. Many instead are in conflict, fear, worry and discouragement. That is not God’s plan or desire for his people.
How Are We To Be Known?
Paul goes on to speak how we all should be: ‘Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. ‘ (Romans 15:14) Paul shares three things that I believe we as believers should be known for.
- We should be full of goodness; we should do good works and be known by others for the goodness that comes from and through us. This should happen out of a desire to serve God not out of duty.
- Next we should be filled with knowledge; this does not mean knowledge in the sense of the world, but we should be filled with the knowledge of who Jesus is and things pertaining to life and godliness. We can ask to be filled with knowledge and understanding as we read His word and it will be given to us. Let the Holy Spirit give you revelation knowledge of Jesus throughout the scriptures.
- Finally, we should be able to admonish (warn, give advice or friendly encouragement) to one another. When we see another brother or sister falling into worldly temptations, we are called to warn them and give them advise. Many need encourage from each other to stay strong and of good cheer, because we will go through times of trials and/or temptations.
There are more things in this passage of Romans that I would love to unpack but I feel that I would not do any service to share in such a short period of time here. Instead I encourage you to read and meditate on the words spoken and ask the Lord for wisdom and knowledge, for it shall be given to you (James 1:5).
My prayer this morning is that you would hear the cry of the Lord to draw near to Him and let Him be your guide. Jesus came for all of us, to be an example of how we treat one another. He loves us and and laid down His life, so that we would have life eternal. We have hope, joy, and peace when we stay near to Him. Draw near. Let His love wash over you.