Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Rom 15:1, 2 and following. Indeed, the apostle is convinced of the best things concerning the Christians of Rome (Rom 15:14). For to presume good in our brothers and sisters is to trust in Christ who is in them. It also means stimulating them to maintain themselves at this level. Indeed, with touching humility, Paul does not announce his visit to the Romans as if his exhortations were necessary for them, but on the contrary recognizing their ability to exhort each other (Rom 15:14). Nor as if they were going to have the honor of his presence, but as having himself the desire to enjoy theirs (Rom 15:24). Finally, the great apostle wrote to his brethren in Rome that he needed their prayers (Rom 15:30).
Pressed by his zeal for the gospel, Paul had often sought to go to Rome (Rom 15:22). But God, in his wisdom, had not allowed him to do so. This capital of the ancient world was not to become the center of his work. It was not necessary for the church of Rome to be able to claim to have been founded by an apostle to rise above the other assemblies… as she did not fail to do later. “The (whole) Church is the true heavenly and eternal capital of God’s glory and ways.” Thus, the apostle continues to exhort the strong as to their conduct towards the weak. Identifying with the former, he says, “Now we the strong must bear the infirmities of the weak, and not please ourselves” (Rom 15:1). He had already expressed his thoughts on this issue but, instead of imposing on others his way of seeing, he treated the infirmities of his brothers with a care full of love. As he tells the Corinthians, it is not appropriate to seek “one’s own interest, but that of others” (1 Corinthians 10:24).
For love will keep us from “pleasing ourselves”; it will prompt us to seek to please our neighbor, for good, for edification (Rom 15:2). In doing so, we will not burden our brethren with a heavy burden, but rather bear their burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). For also Christ did not seek to please himself, but, according to what it is written: “The outrages of those who insult you have fallen upon me” (Rom 15:3). He, the perfect servant, was here on earth one with his God in all things, and endured all that was involved in the fulfillment of the Father’s will, never seeking recognition or glory for himself. Being “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15), he silently endured the outrages of those who outraged God. This tireless man felt that the time had come to leave his work in the East to others, being strongly attracted to the West to proclaim Christ as well. But God had decided otherwise. Paul probably never went to Spain, and Rome only saw him as a prisoner. Faith knows that God’s way, even if it is not the one we propose to ourselves, is always perfect. For “all his ways are just” (Deut 32:4). They correspond to his eternal purposes, his unfathomable grace and his perfect wisdom.
Indeed, the apostle went to Jerusalem to perform a service on behalf of the saints. “For Macedonia and Achaia have found it good to make a contribution to the needs of the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem” (Rom 15:25, 26). It was indeed the manifestation of active love of which he speaks to us in 2 Co 8 and 9, written shortly before the epistle to the Romans. It had pleased the assemblies of Macedonia and Achaia (the Roman province in which Corinth was located) to send this “contribution” to the poor believers of Jerusalem. After he had sealed this precious fruit (Rom 15:28), he wanted, as we have seen, to go to Spain, passing through Rome. He knew that if he came, he would come “in the fullness of Christ’s blessing” (Rom 15:28, 29).
For if the apostle went to Rome in conditions very different from what he had proposed to himself, this last word was no less fulfilled to the letter. Not only was he able to stay for two years in a dwelling he had rented for him, and receive there all those who visited him, but he was also able to preach to them the kingdom of God and teach them the things that concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness, without impediment (Acts 28:30, 31). We also know that it was during this first captivity that he wrote the precious epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, as well as the one he addressed to Philemon.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- Characteristics of True Human Sympathy
-benevolence Is 58:7 Share your bread with the hungry, and bring into your house the unfortunate without asylum; If you see a naked man, cover him, and do not turn away from your fellow man.
-help Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way that it is by working in this way that one must sustain the weak, and remember the words of the Lord, who himself said: There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.
-bearing burdens Rom 15:1 Paul, servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, except to proclaim the Gospel of God,
-interest in the unfortunate He 13:3 Remember the prisoners, as if you were also prisoners; those who are mistreated, as also being yourselves in a body.
-to visit the needy Jas 1:27 Pure and spotless religion, before God our Father, consists in visiting orphans and widows in their afflictions, and in protecting oneself from the defilements of the world.
- Examples of Altruism
Abraham Gen 13:9 Isn’t the whole land before you? So separate yourself from me: if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.
Joseph Gen 50:21 So be without fear; I will talk to you and your children. And he consolate them, speaking to their hearts.
Moses Nb 11:29 Moses replied, “Are you jealous of me?” May all the people of Jehovah be composed of prophets; and want the Lord to put His spirit upon them!
Jonathan 1 S 18:4 He took off the coat he was wearing, to give it to David; and he gave him his clothes, even his sword, bow, and belt.
Daniel Dn 5:17 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, “Keep your gifts, and grant to another your gifts; I will nevertheless read the scripture to the king, and I will give him the explanation.
Paul 1 Cob 10:33 in the same way that I too strive in all things to please all, seeking not my advantage, but that of the greatest number, so that they may be saved.
Christ 2 Cob 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who for you became poor, rich as he was, that by his poverty you may be enriched. 2 Co 12:5 I will glorify myself with such a man, but with myself I will not glorify myself, except with my infirmities.
- Apostolate of Paul, declared and defended
Rom 1:1 Paul, servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart to proclaim the gospel of God; Rom 11:13 I say to you, gentiles: as an apostle of the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;1 Co 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 1 Co 15:9 for I am the least of the apostles, I am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I have persecuted the Church of God. 2 Corinthian 1:1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Brother Timothy, to the Church of God in Corinth, and to all the saints who are in all Achaia;2 Corinthian 11:5 Now I feel that I have been in no way inferior to these apostles par excellence. Gal 1:1 Paul, the apostle, not on behalf of men, nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead; Eph 1:1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and to the faithful in Jesus Christ; Col 1:1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and brother Timothy;1 Tim 1:1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, by order of God our Savior and Jesus Christ our hope;2 Tim 1:1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to proclaim the promise of life that is in Jesus Christ,
- Spiritual Debtors
Ps 116:12 How will I give the Lord All His blessings to me? Rom 1:14 I owe myself to the Greeks and barbarians, to the learned and the ignorant. 1 Co 4:7 For who distinguishes you? What did you receive that you did not receive? And if you have received it, why do you glorify yourself, as if you had not received it? 1 Co 6.20 Because you have been bought back at a great price. So glorify God in your body and mind, which belong to God. 2 Co 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who for you became poor, rich as he was, that by his poverty you may be enriched. 1 Jn 3:16 We have known love in that He gave His life for us; we too must give our lives for our brothers.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow on “the Apostle’s greetings:”I commend Phoebe, our sister,… “
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.