Romans 15:1-4 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
No man is an island unto himself. We all impact other, whether we like it or not. Hopefully, as a Christian, you take great pleasure in having the opportunity to impact others for the cause of Jesus Christ. One of the blessings of ministry that I enjoy more than any other is when someone tells me that I have been a spiritual help to them. Because after all, that is what ministry is about. I’ve heard people jokingly say, “Ministry would be easy if people didn’t get in my way.” But of course that is a joke, because ministry is people. Every person in Christ has the unique privilege and calling to minster to the people of God. This job doesn’t solely belong to the pastor. When I ignore the Church, I am unable to fulfill my responsibility to edify fellow believers.
In the context of the local church, Paul reminds the Church at Rome about the ministry of edification.
1. Bearing The Weak (1) We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
In a gathering of localized believers, people will be on all types of spiritual plains. Some will be new believers, perhaps old-timers, or people who have strayed away but have now returned. The point is that each of us are at different places in our Christian experience. Remember that God is not as concerned with where we are as he is concerned with which direction we are heading. As we head closer to becoming like Christ, God requires us to bear burdens of weaker Christians. Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
A Christian need not be self-sufficient. God has provided a wonderful community of support. Not to mention we cannot fulfill God’s program for evangelism on our own. Picture a Mr. Potato Head with just a tongue. How would he see? How would he hear? He would just roll to the side and off the table. This child’s toy pictures perfectly a Christian who does see the essentialness of the rest of the body of Christ.
I have to admit that there are times I come to church and I don’t feel like going on another day. It is at those times that God uses someone who is stronger than me to be an encouragement and pick me out of the hole I am in. It may be a note the write me, or perhaps just a song that they sung for a special. Many times, just the faithful presence of other believers serving, worshipping, and living faithful lives is a huge encouragement to my walk with God. I need the encouragement and so do you. I hope you see what a blessing it is to have a local church that is serving God together. It is a powerful program designed by God to bring glory to him and bearing the burdens of believers.
2. Building The Weak (2-3) Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me
This verse is in the context of not doing something that would discourage a weaker Chrsitian in his walk with the Lord. Simply put, we need to look at others and be more concerned about them and helping them be grounded in God’s word and helping them to build their life in God. There are two types of people in this area: those who build and those who destroy.
What does a builder look like? A builder is most likely thinking through people he hopes to see in church today. On his way to church or perhaps before he is praying for their needs and asking God to again help him bear and build others through his life. He my see someone who looks like their having a bad day and instead of ignoring them like the priest and the Levite did to the man who was robbed, he stops to see what is the matter. He listens intently and wants to help in any way he can. He is a Good Samaritan. He has kind words, a helpful hand, supportive spirit, and he is involved in the service. He says amen, appropriately. After the service he is looking for someone to minister to. Perhaps a visitor that knows no one. Are they saved? Do they need a friend? Who is taking them to lunch? These are all questions that go through the mind of a builder. I know life is busy and our own families have many needs of their own. Work is crazy and schedules are even worse, but edifying is becoming a lost art. You cannot Biblically edify someone through facebook alone. We need to interact with believer looking for opportunities to encourage one another. One of the evidences of a Christian is that they use their words to build up and not destroy. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Our words should build others lives biblically giving grace to people. Grace has the idea of the supernatural-enablement to do God’s will. It is amazing to think that what I say to someone at Church has the power to help or hinder their ability to follow God’s will in their own life. “Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.”
What does a destroyer look like? Basically, he is the exact opposite of the builder. He keeps to himself, never looking to help anyone. Spiritually he isn’t even aware of other’s burdens. In fact, he probably walks around half the time offended because he thinks that no one is paying him any attention. If that is you, remember this verse: Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Much of their thinking during the service is selfish and critical. They never notice a visitor and if they did they would never talk to them. Their comments and conversations tear down unity amongst the family of God. They are a hindrance to the work of God through the local church.
God has given us the privilege of partnering with him to make a difference in the lives of non, new, middle-aged, and old believers. It is call edification and it is essential to the Christlike development of the individual believer. In fact, this is the example Paul gives to the Romans. Romans 15:3-4 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Christ bore the burdens of the whole world. His life was given to minister not to be ministered unto. His life was recorded so that we would learn how to act as a Christian. Jesus throughout his life went around doing good. Let this be our mindset as we minister to the people of God in the essential church.
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