#DailyDevotion The Christian’s Life Is About Pleasing Our Neighbor
January 26th
Read Rom 15:1–13
Rom 15:1-3 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 7-9 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (8) For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, (9) and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
In verses 1-3 we have Paul telling in plain terms the parable of the Good Samaritan. Well most of the sermon on the mount and the one on the plain take up this theme. The commandments of God are not for us but for our neighbor. We can’t save the world, that is for sure. We cannot feed everyone. But we can save and feed the person in front of us and we can clothe the person in front of us. That’s all we’re asked to do. Don’t worry you most likely will not have a stream of people at your door and if you do, you have a congregation you can call on for help as you have been called to help.
We are to see to do good and to improve the lot in life of the people around us and to build them up. Jesus is the reason we do this. We would look down upon and think less of insulting the down and trodden among us if we realized the true nature of our fallen estate before we were born again of Christ Jesus. It is Jesus who has thought more of you than himself. He has borne your reproach. Jesus has taken upon himself your guilt. Christ carries your shame. He seeks to please you for your good and to build you up.
As Jesus has done this for you be certain he has done this for all people particularly the person in front of you. So welcome that person as Christ Jesus has welcomed you.
Jesus in doing this fulfilled God’s promises to Abraham and the Patriarchs. Jesus has fulfilled the Law of God. He confirms and makes certain God’s truthfulness and God’s promises. The Father had promised he would send a savior like Jesus who would do the things Jesus did starting in the garden. He promised this savior to the patriarchs and the prophets. It may have taken some time from our point of view but God the Father has fulfilled his promises in Christ Jesus. The promises he makes now of life and salvation through faith in Jesus are going to be fulfilled also for God is truth and he does not lie.
Lord God, heavenly Father, ever give us such faith that we love and serve our neighbor even as you have loved and served us in your son Jesus Christ. Grant us faith to see how you fulfilled your promise in the past that we may be certain of their fulfillment in the future. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.