BY: Pastor Bob Miller
CHAPTER READ: Romans 15
SCRIPTURE SELECTED: Romans 15:1-3
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.”
OBSERVATION:
Three times in these verses the word “please” is mentioned. In addressing those who are strong, he says that we are to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. We are to “please” our neighbors for their good, to build them up. And then he reminds us that Christ did not live to please himself! He even took on the insults that others received as if they were his own. Our world lives to “please” itself. Christ lives to please others!
APPLICATION:
One of the major considerations in making a decision has to do with whether it is “pleasing”. The thing we must consider as a follower of Christ is whom are living for? Whom do I live to “please”: “Myself or My Neighbor?” “Those who are weak or those who are strong?” When we find that our primary motivation is our own “pleasure”, then we need to look more closely at whether we are truly following in the footsteps of our Savior.
PRAYER:
Lord, I need your help this evening. I lost a friend this morning, with Harry Hanohano’s passing! His family and his two sisters are just now receiving the news. I pray that you will be with us in this time of our loss. In fact, I pray that You will help us know how to strengthen and comfort those in their weakness and loss. We live among a people who need healing. May we live to strengthen and please our neighbors for good! AMEN