Thoughts on Romans - Day 42

                                                  Romans 15:1-6
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.

       Everything in life comes down to this - "Glorifying the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ". That is why we exist.  Our biggest obstacle to this is found in verses 1 and 3 - pleasing ourselves. In context, this is what Chapter 14 was about - if you are doing things that are bothering other Christians, even if you have every right to and have the freedom to do those things, just stop doing them. Well, that's not fair, why don't they stop being so legalistic and in bondage? Stop being judgmental Paul would say. Let them grow at their own pace. And Paul says, stop insulting them because your insults are falling on Jesus. Jesus is so into glorifying the Father that He gave up His life and took all our sins, like our insulting people, on Himself. Certainly the least we can do is give up playing poker for example. Then Paul mentions the saints of old and how we are to follow their selfless example. I think of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. To be a prophet, they literally gave up any rights to calling their own shots. They said, here am I send me. They were imprisoned, martyred, starved, thrown in a well, beaten, walked around naked, hated, despised, seen as traitors and much more so that they would have the privilege of hearing from God and speaking His words. In fact, Jeremiah's scribe Baruch, at one point starts thinking of himself and is soundly rebuked by God. (Jer.45)

       Isa. 53:6 describes our condition in sin - we are following our own way. Paul describes Timothy in Phillipians 2:21 as one completely different from everyone else because he wasn't looking out for his own interests. Paul says of love in Ephesians 5:1,2

    Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us

     Andrew Murray defines love as "the deep desire to give oneself up for the beloved." Tim Kimmel defines love as "commitment of my will to your needs and best interests regardless of the cost.".

    Therefore, if we exist to glorify God, and the key to doing this is to Love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love our neighbor as ourselves - we have to focus on dying to self and praying to that end daily. Pay particular attention to things that are frustrating you, angering you, causing anxiety in you, or making you say, "that's not fair". If we leverage those feelings for good, they will point to areas in your life where you haven't died. They are areas where our pride is getting attacked and we are being offended. Step outside of the incident and embrace it for your/my death as Christ continues to be formed in us.

       Lord, this is a continuing theme - I must have issues with this in my life (obviously). Help me to see life through the big pictures and themes - death, love, glorifying - and not get caught up in the petty stuff. Amen