Five Things I Learned from Romans 15: Everybody is more important than me.

Everybody is more important than me.

We can learn a lot simply by reading the Bible. Romans 15 tells us how to act by faith and what that means for us every day. This is especially true for those of us in the church. We learn how to live at peace with our brothers and sisters, be active in a church, and serve our communities. It talks about how we are to welcome people into the church and not make it hard to be a part of the church. it lets us know that everybody is more important than me. Let’s go take a look!

One: 1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. Romans 15:1-2

Our instructions: support everyone and work for the good of the people around us. This theme is repeated in Romans, and in the bible: Romans 14:1, 14:13, Philippians 2:3-4. We should do nothing that brings us attention, but we are to lift up and build up those we serve, even giving them honor, Romans 12:10. In 1 Corinthians 14:3-4 Paul tells us that the edification, the building up and honoring those we serve, is the foundation of prophecy. That is important.

Two: 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 was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:3-4

This passage addresses a couple of things. First, that the prophetic writings from the past, the Old Testament, are of extreme value to us now. These prophecies were written so that we would be built up and edified. Secondly, Psalm 69:9 is being referred to. The writer of that psalm was talking about how zeal for the house of God was motivating him to work for God. We should have the same zeal for the local church we attend, and that zeal is directed at building up the people in our church.

Three: 7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

After all this Paul sums this up, accept one another-like Jesus did for us. This is one of the pillars of the New Testament. Jesus continually tells us to not just stay in our houses and churches, but to reach out with the message of the gospel. Jesus even went so far as to take people who were rejected by the religious authorities (and even the church) and use them as ministers of the gospel. Paul himself was an enemy of the church until Jesus got ahold of him, Acts 9:1-22. Jesus sent the woman at the well into her city-He did not go at first-to preach His message, John 4:28-30, 39-40. Jesus eating meals with people He should have ignored, according to the religious authorities, Matthew 9:10-17. He allowed a woman was an outcast because of her sin to approach Him and anoint Him, Luke 7:36-50. There are many more examples!

Four: 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Having learned all this and practicing it by faith we can be filled with “…all joy and peace…” as well as hope. This comes from the power of God the Holy Spirit. We can, by this power, stand in victory over our own sin and the sin around us. We must follow Jesus, stand on Jesus, and imitate Jesus; this brings the hope of the gospel to our innermost being, just like the living water in John 4:12-14.

Five: 30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the  saints; Romans 15:30-31

Paul is doing two things here, he is asking for prayer for himself. We should do the same, this does not oppose putting others first. Paul recognizes that as gifted as he is, he needs prayer. Secondly, he needs the prayers so that he can have the power to overcome those who oppose the gospel. Why did he ask for prayer? Because Paul’s reason for living was to preach the gospel; this should serve as an example for us. We should never be afraid or ashamed to ask for prayer!

This is not an in-depth study of Romans 15, but this is what I see about treating, honoring, and building up the people in my church and community. We should make it our business to follow this message and build up our church so that we can make a difference in our world, and that is good news!