9/8/2021 Romans 15:1,7 (NIV)

 9/8/2021 Romans 15:1,7 (NIV)

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves… Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

Paul is clever here. “We (I) who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak (you)… “

This passage in Paul’s letter to those who believe in Jesus Christ is directed to the problem of getting the Church to work with a collection of misfits who all have a selfish nature. It is written to the new believers in first century Rome but applies to believers in all cultures throughout the rest of time. Paul of course includes himself in the seventh chapter of this letter.

Our selfish natures tend to interpret scriptures to suit ourselves. The Holy Spirit who inspired the letters of Paul will of course work with each believer to sort it all out, but we must face the fact that the ‘I’ becomes the ‘you’ in the verse above as others read it for themselves. (Yes, I am sorry to admit that others have had to bear with my failings).

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6 [NIV]

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