Romans 15-0 Christian Conduct (7) Imitating the Lord Jesus#
Romans 15-0 Christian Conduct (7)
- Imitating the Lord Jesus
(JP Text Group - Organized by Life Like an Eagle)
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we especially thank and praise you for preparing such a wonderful moment for us to seek you together. To know you in your word and enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit. Please renew our minds through this word, help us to be wise in our lives, to build others up, and to establish them. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen!
Continuing with the series on Romans, Christian Conduct 7 - Imitating the Lord Jesus
Romans 15:1-6
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How should we interact with others in life? How can we live out the pattern of Christ? When we receive the grace of Christ, we need to apply this truth in our lives. This requires wisdom and strength. Imitating the pattern of Christ is something we believers must do throughout our lives; this not only builds ourselves up but also builds those around us.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak. In life, when interacting with others, we inevitably encounter disagreements. How should we respond? Some people think they are right and criticize or condemn others. This is not acceptable; Jesus would rather have us accept one another and learn from each other.
What does it mean to be strong? It means to be grounded in truth. Perhaps you know Jesus Christ better than others, or you may have more expertise in a certain area than others.
If you think you are more focused or have greater faith, you should not look down on those who are not as strong as you, nor should you condemn or judge others; instead, you should bear with the weaknesses of the weak. For example, new believers may not understand many things and may not have read much of the Bible. Such people are considered weak in your presence, and they might ask questions that seem simple to others, such as, “Where is God?”
“Why did Adam sin?”
“If there were no tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden, we wouldn’t be in this situation today.”
They may ask such questions, but you should not respond by saying, “Enough, don’t ask anymore, go read the Bible yourself!”
So how should we treat the weaknesses of those who are weak? By bearing with them.
A faithful and knowledgeable pastor will tolerate others' shortcomings and help them with love. In fact, serving is about continually sharing what we know about Jesus with others. Perhaps you have answered a question many times, but when someone asks you again, you still need to answer patiently; this is the kind of service that pleases God.
The scripture says, may the God who gives endurance. Our God is a God full of patience. Therefore, when we serve, we must not be impatient, nor should we lose our love. We cannot say to someone who knows nothing, “You don’t even understand this question?” They truly do not understand; they are just a new believer. So those who serve must have a patient heart and bear with these weak individuals.
They may be weak in certain situations; we cannot stand by and make sarcastic remarks; we must empathize with their weaknesses. If someone wants to know the truth, we need to continually explain to them and share with them. When pastors preach on Sundays, they often repeat certain questions and points. You should not say, “Pastor, you always talk about these things; you’ve repeated them several times; say something new!” You need to bear with those who are weak; perhaps many people still do not understand, and it is necessary to continue speaking. At this time, we need to pray for those who do not understand, while also living out what we understand, truly becoming a help in our lives.
As a pastor, it can sometimes be difficult; if the message is too deep, new believers may not understand; if it is too shallow, those who have believed for many years may not gain anything. In such cases, the strong must bear with the weak. The words of Jesus Christ, even if you have heard them many times, when you receive them humbly like a new believer, you will always gain new insights, because the Holy Spirit continually renews us. Every time you read the Bible and pray with a sincere heart, the Holy Spirit guides your understanding, and you will receive new revelations each time.
If you are a person of strong faith, when there are weak individuals around you, you should view problems from their level of faith. This way, you can reveal the glory of Christ. Many times, disagreements and conflicts between people arise because they do not understand each other’s perspectives. If you always think you are the most correct, then judgments and condemnations will arise. A humble person will first learn to listen to others, because the Spirit is within every believer. Perhaps we can learn new insights from what others have received!
Jesus used many parables in His preaching; in fact, He hoped to use these parables to help people fully understand the truth and thus accept it. Jesus knows everything, but many times, He presents the truth in a very simple way, simple enough for even children to understand. For example, to farmers, He said, “You should take my yoke upon you, for my burden is light, and my yoke is easy.”
Farmers know what a yoke is; it is the yoke that hangs on the necks of oxen. When two oxen walk forward, they must have the same goal and step in unison to share the heavy load. So Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.” Jesus used a very simple standard that they could understand to explain what the kingdom of heaven is and why people need rest.
When Jesus faced fishermen, He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a net that is let down and then pulled up, discarding the bad and keeping the good.” They could understand this.
From Romans chapter 12 to chapter 16, it discusses the relationships between people; God hopes that we live out the pattern of Christ in our lives, revealing the love of Christ.
How do we bear the weaknesses of others?
The weaknesses of the weak are manifested in judgment, complaining, grumbling, and harsh criticism; these are all signs of weakness.
When you see people around you condemning you, or when someone attacks your faith, in such cases, do not argue with them, because their weakness lies here. Perhaps they do not understand what they are doing.
They still live under the law, bound by doctrines, very concerned about their performance, and worried about winning or losing. When you see such people, you should bear with them. You do this for the sake of Jesus Christ, so bear with them and be patient with them.
What does the term “bear with” mean? It does not mean to reluctantly endure; to bear with means to stand alongside the weak person and share the burden together. Their faith may be very small, and you need to lower your faith to a level they can understand. It means you walk alongside them to view the problem, understanding them with love and gentleness. Self-righteousness is not included.
Luke 10:25-28
25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
When Jesus dealt with the self-righteous law expert, His method was to tear off their masks and let them see their true selves. At this moment, Jesus was not bearing their weaknesses but making them aware of their own inability, thus humbling them. If someone thinks highly of themselves and believes they are great, at this point, you should not bear with them anymore, because doing so will only make them prouder. Only bear with those whose faith is weaker than yours.
So what should we do? Verse 2 gives us the answer: each of us should please our neighbor.
There are indeed people around us who are weak in faith or bound by the law; when they sincerely seek help, you should bear with their weaknesses, not just do what you like, but for the good of others. Here it says we should please our neighbor.
Who is your neighbor?
Luke 10:30-37
30 In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus said to the law expert, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus was not intentionally mocking him. The law expert did not have a seeking heart; he merely wanted to show off his abilities before Jesus. But in reality, this law expert did not have a heart of compassion. So Jesus used this story to show him his problem and hoped he could have compassion like the Samaritan.
Brothers and sisters, was the Samaritan who had compassion truly a neighbor to this man? No. So let us not misunderstand; do not say that “neighbor” refers only to the person next door or the one beside you, but rather to anyone you encounter who needs help.
Everything that happens in the world is not accidental; the people you meet in your life are not coincidental; there is divine purpose in it. Therefore, we should cherish the opportunities God gives us every day to help others.
Your neighbor is not necessarily someone who lives near you, but rather anyone you encounter. Those you interact with are your neighbors. If you are in business, your clients are your neighbors. If you are a teacher, your students are your neighbors.
Each of us should please our neighbor for their good. Regardless of who we interact with, we must not have harmful intentions, but rather approach them with the compassion and love of Christ to benefit them. If you are in business, do not deceive others; if you are in sales, do not sell counterfeit goods; if they are your partners, treat them sincerely. In this way, no matter what industry we are in, we can do well and have lasting friendships.
Verse 2 states that each of us should please our neighbor for their good, to build them up.
Our building up of virtue is not about having no boundaries or being bullied; it is not about compromising for the sake of peace, but rather about interacting with wisdom to reveal the glory of Christ. Many Christians often misunderstand the Scriptures, binding themselves. Looking at this passage,
Matthew 5:38-42
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
First of all, this passage is directed at the Jews, who knew the law and its penalties. It does not apply to Gentiles. But Jesus is not telling people to violate the law; rather, He is advocating for greater tolerance and compassion to overcome the current issues. Jesus means not to resist an evil person, as this will only lead to mutual destruction.
To benefit our neighbors, we endure, but even if you lose your patience and respond when others insult you, you are still a child of God, still loved by God. However, when we all lose patience, the problems may become more serious, ultimately leading to no benefit. But if we have a patient heart, we can avoid many harms.
Verse 3 states that Christ did not please himself, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
We are called Christians and must learn from the example of Jesus Christ. Remember one thing: our actions are the fruit, faith is the driving force, and the source is Jesus Christ. If we only emphasize actions, people may not have the strength to live out good behavior. But if people understand the love of Christ and the compassion of Christ, the strength that comes from Christ can change them.
“The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
In the past, Jesus suffered many insults, many humiliations, curses, and even betrayals without cause. This truly pierced Jesus’ heart. Jesus faced the pain of being forsaken by many, silently enduring it all. While Jesus silently bore all this, He was not seeking His own pleasure but rather that the world could be saved.
If Jesus were unwilling to endure all this, humanity would have no way out. Only by enduring these pains could we be freed from them. Only when Jesus bore our sorrows could we find peace. Thus, Jesus silently bore it all; He did not seek His own pleasure but rather sought to please the Father so that we could be accepted. If we do not see this, we will not be able to endure others with this love.
When you see other believers continually enduring for you, it indicates that your life truly needs to be elevated. You cannot keep making others tolerate you; when will you grow up? You need to receive the grace of Jesus Christ more and understand what Jesus has done for you; only then can your faith grow, and you can bear with those who are weaker than you.
God desires us to have good behavior. The Father wants us to live out the pattern of Christ because this way is victorious and glorious.
Brothers and sisters, today, for the sake of loving a soul, we can accept others based on our current faith. Remember, the amount you can accept is proportional to what you have received from Christ. Otherwise, you cannot do it. If you say you cannot tolerate anything at all, it proves that you have truly received nothing from Christ. Do not argue with others; return to Jesus Christ and receive!
Today, if you go evangelizing and are insulted for the sake of Jesus Christ, congratulations! You are blessed! Remember, the insults of those who insult you will not fall upon you. No matter what others curse you with, rest assured, these will not come to pass; all curses have already fallen upon Jesus. So, when facing others’ insults, there is no need to care.
This person may seem to be cursing you, but in reality, they are cursing Jesus; this person may truly hate you, but in reality, they hate Jesus. Once we understand this, our hearts will no longer be bitter. When others say harsh words, you can say that those harsh words did not fall upon me but upon Jesus; those insults did not fall upon me but upon Jesus. When you think this way, your heart will no longer hate or be troubled by that person; you may even feel pity for them.
Everyone's patience is limited, and sometimes we may run out of patience; this is normal because we are weak. It is precisely because we know our shortcomings that we need to continually receive from God and then give out, receive and give out. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, who continually endures us; He does not seek His own pleasure but rather seeks our joy. Therefore, we also need to treat our neighbors, that is, those we encounter, in the same way.
Philippians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
When you see this verse, what comes to mind? Why did Jesus Christ come to the world in human form? He humbled Himself because we are human and need salvation, so Jesus had to come to this world in human form, expressing things we can understand, speaking in ways we can comprehend.
Many mistakenly think that Jesus is God! That the whip hitting Him did not hurt, that He was not afraid of death because no one could kill Him, that He felt no pain on the cross. This is completely wrong.
He truly became human, but for our benefit, to gain life, He came to this world; the Word became flesh, just like us.
He took on the nature of a servant, having nothing, born in the poorest place—Nazareth, living only 33 years. He took on the nature of a servant, humbled Himself, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. The purpose of Jesus doing all this was to save us, to allow God to accept us and be pleased with us.
Today, when you give for a soul, you may feel wronged and misunderstood. But God remembers what you have given, even if people do not understand. What we need to do is endure them like Jesus, not seeking our own pleasure, but for their benefit, to build up virtue.
Verse 4 states that everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.
The Bible is written for our instruction. This instruction is not meant to make us suffer but to bless us. God teaches us for our benefit, so that we may be filled with glory like Jesus. The Bible has many examples of people who sacrificed for the Lord and ultimately received great rewards. This encourages us and comforts us. So that when we encounter any tribulations, we can have a patient heart and not lose heart. Because God remembers all we have given.
Each of us needs to be taught, each of us needs training. Only then can we walk with God and work together with others, standing in others' perspectives to understand them.
2 Timothy 3:16 states that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
The last sentence is extremely important. Many times we fall into a set of rules, wondering, “Is this thing permissible? Can this thing be done? As a Christian, should I do this?” Remember, if you are unsure, take this verse to compare: when doing this thing, does it benefit others? Will it harm them? If it benefits others, then it is permissible.
The Apostle Paul once said, “I can do all things…” Many people like to quote this verse, saying grace is great! You can do anything! It’s wonderful to believe in the Lord; God does not remember our sins or our transgressions; we can do anything!—but that’s not the case! There’s a second half to that sentence: “I can do all things, but not all things are beneficial.” You can indeed do anything; you can do what you think is good, and although God no longer remembers your sins, if that thing harms others or yourself, it will ultimately be in vain.
“Everything is permissible, but not everything builds others up.” Brothers and sisters, as Christians, we must especially remember this; this is our standard for conduct. Everything we do should be for the purpose of building others up. Ultimately, we are the beneficiaries.
The second half of verse 4 says, “…so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.”
The words in the Bible bring us everlasting hope, a hope born from the endurance and comfort of God’s word. If today you feel wronged, I suggest you look at Hebrews chapter 11, the “Hall of Faith,” which contains many examples of endurance.
In the Old Testament, many people suffered great humiliation, were killed, mocked, and endured immense pain for the sake of the Lord, but these people received great rewards; God eternally remembers what they have offered. Many have been martyred for the Lord; such souls are considered extremely precious by God. When we see the outcomes of these people, we know that their sacrifices were not in vain. God will not shortchange them, nor will He shortchange us.
In this Hall of Faith, it seems that all the recorded individuals are good. However, if you flip back to the Old Testament, you will find that these people were not as perfect as we imagine; Abraham once lied, Moses once killed someone… Why are these people described so positively in the Hall of Faith?
Because God no longer remembers their transgressions. The blood of Jesus cleansed them of all their sins, and God will eternally remember what they have sacrificed for the Lord.
Our hometown is not here; we have a permanent hope, which is the new heaven and new earth. We hope for the return of Jesus Christ. When He comes, He will take us back. There, it will be better than we can imagine. So every time your faith is low or you feel discouraged, you can return to God’s word and look at these people and these events; this will bring us great comfort.
Jesus Christ endured so much pain for our benefit; God did not let Him suffer in vain, but raised Him from the lowest place to the highest. Today, when we are willing to humble ourselves and live like Jesus, God sees our faith as precious.
Verse 5 states, may the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.
If we all receive endurance and encouragement from Jesus and use that love and compassion to be of one mind, accepting and loving one another, how beautiful it will be among brothers and sisters!
Being of one mind and imitating Christ Jesus primarily refers to serving. Our service is not something one person can accomplish; it requires coworkers to work together. Therefore, coworkers must first be of one mind; if they are not, they cannot work together because differing thoughts will prevent unity. Thus, being of one mind is very important. Whether in the same church or group, if we can be of one mind, we will surely see the love of Christ manifested among us.
‘Being of one mind’ does not mean that believers cannot have different views on truth and life; rather, it means not insisting on one’s own views but considering the benefit of others in love.
In the church and in our lives, when we interact with others, we need to view things from their perspective. We are a group of people living in a community, and each person is different; the church is even more so, as everyone’s upbringing, education, culture, habits, and viewpoints are not the same.
Not everyone receives the same understanding as we do; we know there will be differences, but we absolutely must not attack or slander each other; otherwise, we will become a laughingstock to the world.
Romans 15:6, with one mind and one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
One mind means having the same intention within; one voice means speaking the same words outwardly, all for the glory of God. To speak the same words, there must first be a common intention; to have a common intention, we must first have the mind of Christ Jesus. If people are self-centered and want to show themselves as better than others, it is impossible to glorify God with one mind and one voice. Unless people lay down their own selves to live for the glory of the Lord Jesus, the world will see that we are different people.
This verse implies that believers should not argue over what to eat or drink but should set aside such judgments and accept one another. The apostle reminds us that glorifying God’s name is more important than arguing over trivial matters.
1 Peter 3:8-9
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
This is the practical application of being of one mind among believers. Peter hopes we can be sympathetic and love one another as we love our own families, with a humble heart. We should not learn from the world to repay evil with evil but should bless one another. Because God calls us not to suffer but to inherit blessings. May we experience God’s blessings every day and live by His grace, bearing good witness.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we especially thank and praise you. We receive the love of Christ so that we can love others. Grant us a heart of patience, so we can live out the glory of Christ. May the Holy Spirit give us strength to show the power of Christ in our lives. With the compassion given by God, help those around us.
Heavenly Father, I am willing to be a channel of blessing; please use me to see your goodness in all things. And continually know you and experience your goodness. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen!