Romans 15:1-7
My title is sort of silly; I think Rodney King was the one who said it. But in the Christian world there are so many disagreements that actually lead to Christians not getting along with each other. Even in my own short experiences I've had disagreements with other Christians that led to a parting of ways. This is not productive or appropriate for Christians. We have the example of Christ who was selfless and giving to those who wanted Him dead. He died for the sins of all people. And, as Romans 15 tells us in verse 3 (as a quote from Psalms 69:9), "the reproaches of those who reproached you fell on Me." Christ took on the rebukes and blames from others for us.
We have a duty as Christians to work together in love and patience, welcoming one another as Christ has welcomed us. There is a saying that says something like, "a house divided can not stand." The church struggles against itself here because too often we are not welcoming of others. Although we may have disagreements about different doctrine, we should be constantly loving one another more than fighting about our differing views. "(The) strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves." If someone was to tell me that, I'd probably disagree. But that's verse one of Romans 15. It doesn't say rebuke them for their failings. It says bear with them. This is a way to show love. My current way would be rebuke, criticize, mock, and reject. I think that's a sign that I'm not one of the strong.
Bear with the weak. Love others.
Praise God for His Love.
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