Thursday, March 31, 2011

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(Romans 15:) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

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To be strong and eagerly approaching a long-awaited and cherished goal--whether it's peace, rest, safety, security, maturity ... whatever it is--taking on the obligation of carrying the weak is not a welcomed task. The weak slow us down and delay us. They don't help us please ourselves. Yet that is the very example Christ gave us: He didn't please Himself. Noting the passive voice, "the reproaches of God-reproachers, God-haters, and God-mockers "fell" on Christ. They were placed on him from the outside. He did that for our benefit ... for my benefit because I was one of them.

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Paul, having said that, naturally fell into prayer (verses 5,6): "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Paul, then fell into severe encouragement, giving strength to these brothers and sisters whom he'd not yet met, but whom he confidently rested in God's ability to strengthen. He told them (verse 14): "I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another."

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Again, just as Paul, after saying that, naturally fell into prayer. So should I: "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant me the will to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that we (that is, me with those who are both stronger and weaker than me) may with one mind and mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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