Bear with and Build up Your Brothers

September 3, 2020

Bear with and Build up Your Brothers

Romans 15:1-13

Shari Nederhoff

Central Truth

Just as Jesus is patient with us as we grow in our faith, we, too, should bear with our brothers and sisters, helping to build them up. We do this so "that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:6)

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

The Example of Christ

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”

10 And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Even though I grew up going to church, I never heard the true meaning of what it meant to follow Jesus. It wasn't until eight months into marriage that my husband and I truly heard what Jesus did for us, and we saw our need for a Savior. We put our trust in Christ together in 1993. As a new believer, I remember being passionate and convicted to find a church where the true meaning of following Jesus was being taught, sometimes alienating friends/family who professed to be believers but didn't have the convictions I had. This led to broken relationships and isolation.

It was not until I humbled myself and really dove into God's Word that I understood fully what it meant to "bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (Romans 15:1-2) Through my job as a Hospice nurse, as I walked alongside those whose faith and ideas were not the same as mine, I started to become more sensitive to their weaknesses.

Christ did not condemn His disciples when they got it wrong about the heart of God. Instead, He gently taught them the truth by telling parables and answering their questions. This is the example we should follow in our own lives—to build up our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus was much more interested in His followers being united in praising His Father than about the things they did not yet understand.

All of us who are not of Jewish decent should be giddy at reading Romans 15:8-12, where Paul lays out that we (the Gentiles) are now part of God's plan to be included in His family, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Talk about good news! He ends the passage with a prayer, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13) May God grant this prayer for each of us today.

1. How can you "bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Romans 15:1) as you abide daily with Christ and have interactions with those who may hold different views than yours? What questions can you ask them that would stir them to think about their view differently?

2. Look up these Old Testament verses: Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1; and Isaiah 11:10. Do you see how God's saving purpose has always included both Jews and Gentiles. How does this stir your heart toward God and His sovereign plan for you?

3. Are you part of God's family? Have you put your trust in Jesus so that you can be filled with all joy and peace and abounding in hope? If so, please share your story in the comments. If not, what's holding you back from accepting His grace?