Romans 15:1-7 (ESV)
We who are strong have an obligation 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. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 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. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Once again, the Lord provides me what I need when I need it! There have been situations in my life lately where this is such a blessing. “To Bear” means to ‘pick up and carry a weight’, like carrying a pitcher of water. Figuritively it can also mean the ‘bearing of an obligation’. This is not saying that the strong are to tolerate the weakness of their weaker bothers; they are to help the weakness shoulder their burdens by showing loving and practical consideration for them (Gal 6:2, 1 Cor 9:19-22, and Phil 2:2-4). We are to build our neighbor up, not please ourselves.
This next set of verses about Jesus not pleasing Himself and the reproach from other we feel, fell on Christ first. He bore the slander, false accusations, and insults. We cannot allow the reproach of others to drive our responses; Christ has already bore our sorrows and grief (Isaiah 53:4). God, through Paul, calls us to live in harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus, even when we feel reproached by a brother or sister in Christ. So powerful.
APPLICATION
This is applicable right now. The things I am dealing with, by coming alongside others, is spot on with the application of this passage. I am so grateful to the Lord for His provision, His Sovereignty, and His Holy Spirit. These times are the times where He grows my faith, because I can see the tangible weight and impact of His hand in the lives, situations, and circumstances around me.