CoreIssue
02-03-2006, 09:43 AM
Quote:1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Stronger Christians should be patient and enduring with the faults and failures of those who are not as learned, dedicated or as far along in sanctification. They should not turn their backs on, disregard, look down upon, easily judge and so on others for self elevation or to take the easily comfortable way out.
Quote:2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Strong Christians should work to encourage, strengthen, teach and do the things that will help to cause others to grow in Christ. That will not only make them better Christians but make them happier about themselves and stronger Christians as well.
Quote:3For even Christ did not please himself
Christ was not born and did not live and die to make himself happy. He suffered and tolerated Man so that Man could share in his company, wisdom and fulfillment.
Quote:but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[1]
Those who insult saints are in fact insulting Christ because they are insulting what Christ has made saints into being.
Quote:4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
All the efforts of God into creating the Bible were for the benefit of the saints. None was for the benefit of God.
Quote:5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Saints need to be working together for the glory of God who has given them all their blessings. There should be no divisions based on being weaker or stronger, more or less blessed, more or less faithful, more or less knowledgable or any other criteria of more versus less.
Quote:7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[2] on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name."[3] 10Again, it says,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."[4] 11And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples."[5] 12And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him."[6]
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
All are equally saints of God. No one is superior based on special covenant or blessing. No one is saved except by repentance through faith in grace.
Stronger Christians should be patient and enduring with the faults and failures of those who are not as learned, dedicated or as far along in sanctification. They should not turn their backs on, disregard, look down upon, easily judge and so on others for self elevation or to take the easily comfortable way out.
Quote:2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Strong Christians should work to encourage, strengthen, teach and do the things that will help to cause others to grow in Christ. That will not only make them better Christians but make them happier about themselves and stronger Christians as well.
Quote:3For even Christ did not please himself
Christ was not born and did not live and die to make himself happy. He suffered and tolerated Man so that Man could share in his company, wisdom and fulfillment.
Quote:but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[1]
Those who insult saints are in fact insulting Christ because they are insulting what Christ has made saints into being.
Quote:4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
All the efforts of God into creating the Bible were for the benefit of the saints. None was for the benefit of God.
Quote:5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Saints need to be working together for the glory of God who has given them all their blessings. There should be no divisions based on being weaker or stronger, more or less blessed, more or less faithful, more or less knowledgable or any other criteria of more versus less.
Quote:7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[2] on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name."[3] 10Again, it says,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."[4] 11And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples."[5] 12And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him."[6]
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
All are equally saints of God. No one is superior based on special covenant or blessing. No one is saved except by repentance through faith in grace.