SIGNS OF STRENGTH
Romans 15: 1-4 NKJV
15 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
One of our goals, for those who call The Ark Church their home, is for believers to grow stronger. But how do we determine growth and strength?
If we are in the gym, we can measure strength by charting the amount of weight we use for a particular exercise. So, in the gym, it’s easy to determine if we are getting stronger. If you started with 100 pounds on the bench press and you are now benching 150 pounds, you have grown in strength. But how do we measure spiritual strength?
Some would think spiritual strength is measured by how much of the scriptures they can quote. There is nothing wrong with that, and I would tend to agree to a point. Knowing Scripture is a starting point. But a better measure of strength is how much of the scriptures we practice. What Paul is talking about in our verses for today is strength revealed in application.
The spiritually strong are those who put up with the scruples or weaknesses in others—not condemning the weaknesses in others or criticizing the weaker ones. Because the strong are not about pleasing themselves. The strong are more into pleasing the ones around them for their good. Doing what is best for others, not what is best for self, is a prime sign of someone who is strong. Yeah, I know - spiritual reality does not play. Doing all things through Christ who strengthens us would involve treating the weaker ones well for their good. Christ strengthens us to act more like Him, not more like the world around us, who eat the weak.
Paul references that bearing with the weak and not pleasing ourselves is strong and Christlike. Jesus was the epitome of strength, and He did not please Himself. In fact, He took on the reproaches, the insults, of the ones who were insulting God. The amount of grief He took from people as God’s representative was immense. And yet He took it. He spoke truth but did no damage with His words. And when it came time for Jesus to die, He died for the very ones who mocked and hurled insults at Him. Jesus is our example of strength.
Paul continues with the thought that what has been written in Scripture is for our learning. So that we can, through perseverance and the comfort of the scriptures, have a positive expectation. We can use what was written about Jesus and written in all of the scriptures to encourage us and help us keep going in a dark world that scoffs and smirks at what we believe.
APPLICATION
This passage was a great reminder for me. I can get discouraged at the selfishness I see in people—even people in the church. As leaders, we have a wonderful church environment, but occasionally, we are treated as if we are the problem. Some of the accusations we have received can be disheartening, but. But this passage is a good reminder that we are dealing with people who are weaker in their faith or have no faith at all. And as the stronger, the ones following Jesus’ example, we don’t lash out, we don’t defend, we bear with. Easy? No, but it pales in comparison to what Jesus did for us.
PRAYER
Lord, Jesus, You are my example of strength. Strengthen me so that I may bear with and please those around me for Your name and their good.