Romans 15:14-21

The words in v14 are not just soft soap to try and flatter his readers. There is a constant war between the flesh and the spirit (Gal 5:17), and we need support in order to help us live by the spirit and not by the flesh. At times this may include "bold" words.

Paul was able to write boldly because of the grace given to him. The grace of God is not just a matter of forgiveness, but is enabling as well. One might object that because of Paul's past he had no right to speak firmly to others, but because of God's grace he did have this right. After the Damascus road his calling in life was proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles.

Paul delighted in serving God. We do not realise what an amazing thing it is for a 1sr century Jew to delight in working amongst Gentiles. Paul was only interested in what he achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit. He did not rely on human methods. Moreover, he did not seek to build on other people's foundations, but wanted to preach the gospel where it had not been preached before. We should beware of Christians or churches that grow by "poaching" members from other churches.

Romans 15:7-13

We are to accept each other as Christ as accepted us. In so many ways we are to treat each other in the way that God treats us. He forgave us, so we are to forgive each other, He is patient with us, so we are to be patient with others, He loves all, so we are to love all.

Paul says we are to accept each other so that God will be glorified, When we refuse to accept each other we often convince ourselves that we doing it to honour God. Now there are times when distinctions need to be drawn, but we must be very careful, for most of the time it is our own ego or sinfulness that is at the root of such actions, rather than true concern for the glory of God.

Jesus truly glorified God, and He did so by being a servant to the Jews, and sending the gospel to the Gentiles (who were outcasts as far as the Jews were concerned). Paul then quotes various Scriptures that show that it was always God's plan that the Gentiles share in the kingdom.

In v13 Paul talks about peace and joy. If we are full of peace and joy we are far less likely to waste our time considering ourselves better than others, and seeking reasons to disagree with each other. And we are to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. It takes power to give us hope, for hopelessness can be so powerful. This is not just hope for ourselves, but hope for others. Again, we start to look down on people when we consider them to be beyond hope.

Romans 15:1-6

A key element of the Christian life is that we live not for ourselves, but for others. Jesus is the supreme example of this, but it is something we should all seek to do. However, it is essential that we do so by living by the Spirit, not in a legalistic fashion. Otherwise we turn into Pharisees and ultimately bring no honour to the Lord. In Christ we have the freedom to live for others. For we have nothing to prove, for Christ alone is our righteousness, and we have nothing to fear, for the Father will provide all that we need.

Moreover, we will find it immensely liberating. When facing difficulties our natural reaction is be even more self-centred, because we believe we have to be. Instead try focusing on the needs of others, especially those immediately around you (family, friends etc). Often times you will find that when you do this your own problems miraculously get sorted out.

In verse 3 Paul quotes from Psalm 69, and reminds us the Old Testament was written in order to teach and encourage us. We gain hope by enduring and by reading the word. Most of us find ourselves in situations where we are sorely tempted to give up, for all seems lost, but the mere fact of keeping going will bring us to a point where hope bursts forth. Another phrase for ensuring is waiting on the Lord. The Lord will always show up. In addition we are to immerse ourselves in the word, for it will feed our spirits, and bring even more hope.

When we lose hope we are more likely to look for reasons to disagree with others. We do this is as a human way of "coping" with difficulties, as it helps us avoid the real issues. We should seek a different way. Of great news is the fact that "endurance and encouragement" come from the Lord. We may feel that all our strength and hope has gone, and this may even be true, but God is our source of supply. So we should ask Him for the hope and endurance that we need.

Romans 14:17-23

The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. How well we would do to remember this when we are tempted to get all excited about minor issues. The gospel is about us being made right with God. Because of Christ's death on the cross we are declared righteous. But this isn't just a theoretical matter whose reality we will not experience until we die, it makes a difference now. The gospel brings joy and peace now, it gives us strength to love and to overcome now.

The cross has made us acceptable to God, so we should not go around trying to find reasons why someone is not acceptable to God! Instead we should be concerned with trying to build each other up. Now this may involve correcting one another from time to time (Col 3:16), but there is a world of difference between having a critical and judgemental attitude, and seeking to help someone live a more Christlike life.

In the particular matter that Paul was dealing with at the time, he tells those who felt free to eat meat, that they should not do so if it is going to cause problems for others. Indeed, they could lead others to sin, for to go against our conscience (even if the matter is not an absolute, such as eating meat) can be sinful (Luke 17:2). The gospel requires us to have a completely different attitude to life and to others.

Romans 14:10-16

Man forgets that the Lord is God and that we will all have to give an account, instead he puts himself in the judgement seat. We need to constantly remind ourselves not to do this, and constantly passing judgement on others is an example of forgetting who the Judge really is. Jesus told the parable of the servant who was forgiven a great debt and then went on to refuse to forgive someone who owed him a little (Matt 18:21-35).

Constantly comparing ourselves to others is also a sign that we have not appreciated God's forgiveness of ourselves. We now have no need to prove ourselves, so we are free to act and think aright, Instead of trying to prove ourselves better than others, we should be considering the needs of others, refusing to put unnecessary stumbling blocks in their way.

In the matter of food Paul was convinced that all food was, other things being equal, fine to eat (Mark 7:19,20), but he would still desist from eating something if need be. We need to guard our own conscience, and that of others. If we do something that goes against our conscience then it causes us guilt it makes us less able to serve God. We are to make sure we do not unnecessarily offend someone else's conscience. Instead we are to act in love, not out of proving how "wise" we are.

Romans 14:1-9

We need to be concerned with the heart of a person, more than outward appearance and even actions. Those "whose faith was weak" were probably Jewish Christians. The reason for thinking this is that the matters referred to concern certain foods and special days. If these had been associated with pagan rituals it is unlikely that Paul would have said it was OK for them to observe these things.

It is also important to draw a distinction between the Jewish Christians here and the Judaisers of Galatia. The latter were proud and acting against the gospel (saying one needed to be circumcised in order to please God), the ones here are acting out of a genuine desire to please God. They were concerned about eating meat because this may have been offered to idols, and so would be "unclean". Others said it was OK to eat meat because we can eat anything. Both sets of people are to treat the other with respect, not considering themselves better than the other. We need to recognise what is truly important, if someone's heart is for God, then that is the main thing. For God has accepted both. We need to remember that the Church is belongs to Christ, not us, and that we belong to God.

The special days probably refer to various ceremonial days. Again the attitude of the heart is the key thing. If we live, we live for Christ. If we deny ourselves something, again we do it for Christ.

Roamns 13:11-14

hese instructions are not given in a vacuum, nor are they just the "right thing to do". They are given with understanding of the present times. Jesus has brought the day of salvation, today is the day of God's favour. So we are to be alert, not just to let life drift by.

Some might say it is two thousand years since Christ came, so how can the day be near? Peter reminds us that with God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day (2 Pet 3:8). And in view of eternity a thousand years is nothing, but the key point for our own lives is that we live as wise people, knowing that the day of darkness will not last forever. One day Christ will return and His rule visibly established over everything. We are to prepare for the coming kingdom, not the one that is passing away.So we are to do away with sinful acts, and to put on Christ, to live and think in a Christlike manner.

We are to live with an eternal perspective.