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Romans 15:7
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“Accept one another, then,
just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
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Context: Read Romans 15:5-13.
We Christians have no choice in
accepting one another for two reasons.
1. Christ has accepted each
Christian therefore we have no right not to. This is similar to
last week where we saw we have no right to judge Another’s
(Christ’s) servant. Here we must accept those He accepts.
2. Why? That God may be
praised. This reiterates what was taught in Sunday’s sermon from
John 17:20-23 where we saw that the unity of believers is a
testimony to the world that the Father sent the Son.
Verses 5-6: Unity involves both
endurance and encouragement. It is not easy.
1. As I’ve said before,
disagreement on minor issues is not wrong as long as we don’t allow
our differing understandings to divide us. We can differ on the
choice of carpet color for the sanctuary, the best style of music,
which translation of the Bible to use. These are not essentials of
the faith. We can have different likes and dislikes and still
faithfully serve the same God in unity.
2. However, unity is not to
be preserved at any cost. If someone denies the divinity of Jesus
Christ or says He did not bodily rise from the dead, that person has
stepped over the line, and in that case unity is not to be
maintained.
Verses 8-12: Paul gives a specific
example of unity within the body of Christ in regard to Jews and
Gentiles.
Here Paul tries to reconcile the
differences between the Jews and the Gentiles. They are now both
part of the body of Christ. So, they must see the importance of the
place God has placed on each.
1. The Gentiles must
understand that God placed a priority on the Jews in regard to
salvation. Not that the Jews are any more saved than a Gentile, but
that God chose to bring salvation through the Jews. Consider the
promise to Abraham (Gen 12:3), and the statement of Jesus in (John
4:22).
2. Likewise the Jews need to
accept the Gentile believers, because God has shown His mercy to
them that His name might be glorified throughout the entire earth.
Romans 3:27-31 shows that God is the God of all who come to Him in
faith.
3. Paul uses a number of Old
Testament references in verses 9b-12 to show that God had planned
all along to show His mercy to the Gentiles also. Paul shows that
the whole counsel of God supports this by including references from
the Law, the Prophets, and the Wisdom books.
4. Look at the things these
Scriptures say about God’s relation to us Gentiles.
a. We will
praise and sing to God. This allows for various styles if rightly
directed to the glory of God. God enjoys creative praise from His
unified people.
b. Rejoice with
His people. Jews and Gentiles (perhaps in our day Catholics and
Protestants) should rejoice together in the salvation given through
faith in Jesus Christ.
c. Jesus will
rule over the Jews and the Gentiles and we will hope in Him. He is
worthy of our hope. Our hopes in this life are often shattered, but
hope in Jesus is a guarantee. He won’t let you down, and nothing
can thwart His will. (Discuss Romans 8:31-39)
Verse 13: This section closes with
hope. If we have hope in Jesus Christ we have it all. God’s hope
fills us with joy and peace. What are most people missing in
life? It isn’t money or pleasure. They are devoid of hope, joy
and peace. The only people who have these three in abundance are
the ones who have wholeheartedly placed their absolute trust in
Jesus Christ. This applies to Jew or Gentile, Protestant or
Catholic. Our label shouldn’t keep us from accepting one another if
Jesus has already accepted us through His death on the cross and
resurrection from the dead. (NOTE: I’m not saying that all
Catholics have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but then neither
do all Protestants possess this knowledge either.)
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