ROMANS UNWRAPPED 219

"We then that are strong ought to bare the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.   Let everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to edification, for even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written THE REPROACHES OF THEM THAT REPROACHED THEE FELL ON ME."                                                                                Romans 15v1-3

We come now to the final two chapters of this wonderful letter.

• Chapter 15 v 1-6      -      The supreme life example of Jesus Christ.
• Chapter 15 v 7 -15v33     -     The global ministry of the gospel.
• Chapter 16 v 1-24    -      The great harvest of souls, all of them trophies of grace.
• Chapter 16 v 25-27    -    Glory to God through Jesus Christ forever.

It must become obvious that in light of such a glorious programme as this, our standard of living must be raised to a higher level.   When we consider, as we will, the global mission of evangelization; the actual changing of real people in real time, and the ultimate objective being the eternal glory of the everlasting God, we can see what great incentives we have for exemplary living;   so the apostle in chapter 15v1 uses the word "ought."   "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves."   Paul now brings the believers under a powerful obligation.   He uses this method many times of bringing to bear the highest doctrines on the smallest practical issues.   He has used this expression "ought" before.   In chapter 13v8 he says  "Owe no man anything, but to love one another."   We all of us have a debt of love towards all our fellow human beings.    Indeed he opened the epistle in chapter 1, applying it to himself when he said  "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise.   So, as much as un me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are Rome also."    Romans 1v14-15   Paul is not asking the believers to do something he would not do himself,   This is all part of our new life in Christ Jesus which says in a nutshell  "Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself,"    So says Paul  "we ought (it is our obligation) to bare the infirmities of the weak."  

Notice the word he uses  "infirmities."   We are not to view our fellow believers who are weak, as being wrong or immature.       We are to view them as being infirm, or slightly ill and needing some tender loving care.   He is not saying that we should become men pleasers.    A reading of the first half of Galatians chapter 2 would show that Paul was no men- pleaser.   A reading of the gospel narratives would show that Jesus Christ was no men- pleaser.   The appeal therefore is to be considerate, and not contradictory towards those who are weak in the faith.   The ultimate purpose of this is clearly stated  "Let everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to edification."   We are to seek the good of our brethren, we are to seek their edification.    We are to build them up in their Christian faith; this will ultimately result in the weak becoming strong; but a building requires scaffolding to accomplish its final end.    Thus we must become the spiritual stays and supports to our brethren in Christ for their full growth.

Next, we shall consider Christ who is the supreme example of this.