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Written by Joe Engelbird
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“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:1-6, NKJV).
This passage, from the mind of God as penned by the apostle Paul, explains in detail our responsibility toward one another. As members of the Lord’s church it is our duty to bear each other’s scruples or infirmities (Romans 15:1). This, he explains, is so that our brothers and sisters may be edified (Romans 15:2) or built up in Christian wisdom. This attitude and willingness to help each other grow is simply a mirror of how Christ sought the edification of us all (Romans 15:3).
The outcome of our building one another up in the faith is expressed in Romans 15:6. It is so that we might with one mind think the same thing and with one mouth speak the same thing. These are so that God might be glorified in His unified church (John 17:21).
Let us then endeavor to build one another up to be better servants in the kingdom. Let us with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love; endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4: 2-3).
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