"We may not say that we have the answers. Questions of how to conduct oneself as a Christian, or how to serve as a Christian, must be answered by life itself- the life of the individual in his direct, responsible relationship to God." - Elisabeth Elliot
During the course of his ministry travels the apostle Paul encountered many incidents; one of which had to do with infighting and dissension among a couple of groups: the Jewish and Gentile Christians.
The account of this can be followed in Romans 15. The Epistle to the Romans was written sometime during the end of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (Winter of 57-58 C.E.) while in Corinth.
He found out that some of the Jewish Christians in Rome had set out to enforce Jewish practices on the Gentile Christians there. Since Christianity started out as a Jewish religion, certain powerful Jewish leaders resolved to keep it so.
Paul sent this letter (Epistle) by way of a Corinthian woman, Phoebe, to let them all know that he was on his way. Interestingly, it wasn't until three years later that Paul was able to arrive in Rome!
To put it simply, tensions had cropped up between the Jewish and pagan converts. In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul appeals for peaceful and amicable relations between these Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Paul had penned that Christians shouldn't hate or convict others (Romans 14, verses 1-12) nor should they hamper the behavior of other Christians (Romans 14, verses 13-23).
In Romans 15, verses 1-13, he gives a third line of reasoning they should follow when dealing with fellow Christians: Follow the Lord Jesus Christ's example. We are to live to please others and not ourselves, and receive each other as He also received us.
Paul stresses brotherly love, kindness, and tolerance. In Romans 15:1 he tells those who are strong in faith should support those who may not be, and not to satisfy themselves by selfishly imposing their rights on them.
Instead, those who are stronger in faith should consider, in loving kindness and with patience, the misgivings and doubts of the weaker brothers and give them room to develop and mature in faith.
The apostle Paul stresses to his readers in Romans 15:8-13 that the ministry of Jesus Christ includes Jews and Gentiles. What this suggests is that our hearts should also be large enough to accommodate both. A big heart can hold a lot.
When I watch the news on television and see all of the divisiveness, anger, and frustration manifested before my eyes I can't help but wonder, "What happened to the heart Jesus wants us to have?"
Christian living includes living with others, getting along with others, and loving one another. There's no big secret to getting back to this, Jesus left his game plan for us to follow which is His example for living.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:2; Acts 10:28; Hebrews 12:14; Jude 1:22; John 8:47
Prayer: Dear Lord, grant me patience and tolerance with everyone. Help live my life positively and joyfully. Teach me how to be kind and generous to all. Amen
May God always bless you!
Judith
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