DAY #243: Romans 15:1-21

The strong believer must never be self-centered, but must be concerned for the spiritual welfare of his neighbor—the weaker person beside him or her in the congregation. To please others is done with a goal in mind—to encourage and build up that other believer in the faith. There is a fine line to walk—the stronger person should not push the weaker one to change his or her ways before he or she is ready; neither should the stronger person pander to the scruples of that weaker one by allowing such scruples to become rules for the church.

Strength is not independence from God, but total dependence on God. Strength in the church doesn’t come from each believer being completely independent, but from mutual interdependence. Truly strong believers are those who are willing to limit their freedoms in order to care for and love their weaker brothers and sisters.

Paul admonishes strong believers not to please themselves but to please God and others. Scripture records stories of those who pleased God, those who didn’t, and those who failed but learned from their mistakes. We are to endure as Christ endured and be encouraged by the examples of other believers. This gives us hope as we wait patiently for God’s promises.

Harmony is not an optional behavior for believers. They must have the attitude of Christ Jesus toward one another. Doing so would allow all believers to join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God. This should be the ultimate purpose of each believer and of the entire church. If our goal is to glorify God, we cannot be caught up in dissension, disagreements, or arguments, especially about trivial matters.

Paul knew these believers were mature, but he wrote this lengthy letter on the basics of Christianity to remind them. We must never become so learned or "mature" that we forget the basics of the Christian life.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

What are the basics of the Christian life? Love God. Love people. Read the Word and do what the Word says. Pray about everything. Serve all. Share the Good News always. Pretty simple.

How are you doing with the basics? Rate yourself.

Love God = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Love People = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Reading the Word daily = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Doing what it says = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Pray about everything = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Serve all = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Share the Good News always = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 (NIV)