Suggested Bible Reading: Romans 15
Devotional Thought:
In Psalm 133:1, the Bible says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” God desires for his children to model the oneness they possess in Christ. The unifying factor is agape love for God translated to each other. Christians must sacrifice what they want personally in order to pursue what God wants providentially. When I demonstrate the love of God, I will sacrifice my desires to pursue meeting the needs of my brethren. In the first few verses of this chapter God commands the stronger Christians to protect the weak from their own infirmities and not do what pleases themselves. Stronger Christians must not ever embarrass by exposing or discourage by self-exaltation, but rather sacrifice whatever is necessary to bring my weaker brother to edification. It is what Christ did and does for us. In areas where you are a stronger Christian, are you protecting the weak or exalting yourself? As a stronger Christian, are you frustrated with the immaturity or weakness of your weaker brother? Are we bearing the weaknesses of others or spending our time pleasing ourself?
Prayer:
• Lord, have I used the weakness of my brother to make myself feel more spiritual?
• Lord, have I been trying to protect my brother by bearing his weakness?
• Lord, help me not ignore the command to bear the infirmity of the weak so I can please myself?
• Lord, where I am weak, help me to be honest and accepting of those who try to help.