Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. (Romans 15:5-7)
As Paul prepares to bring this letter to the church in Rome to an end, he would stress the importance of unity. Remember this church body was very diverse, started by Jews in a Roman society, composed of people from all nationalities and prior beliefs. We all know how hard it is with people within our immediate families to get along, and how much more difficult it is to get a group of strangers to come together on one accord. That's why the love of God in us is the only way true unity is possible.
It's difficult to translate into the English language all the different Hebrew and Greek words used for love. In English, we use love to mean so many different things. In Hebrew and Greek, they actually have specific words for each meaning of the word. The love of God that we are supposed to have for each other in Greek is agape, affection or benevolence, acting in kindness or an inclination to be kind towards others. Yet again, reiterating that the love of God is not just feeling but action.
True unity, being like-minded toward one another, glorifying God the Father with one mind and one mouth, is only possible through faith in Christ Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit; then we will be filled with God's agape love, and able to love others in this way. Jesus taught His disciples a new commandment, based on having unity through agape love. So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:31-35) Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God!
As Paul prepares to bring this letter to the church in Rome to an end, he would stress the importance of unity. Remember this church body was very diverse, started by Jews in a Roman society, composed of people from all nationalities and prior beliefs. We all know how hard it is with people within our immediate families to get along, and how much more difficult it is to get a group of strangers to come together on one accord. That's why the love of God in us is the only way true unity is possible.
It's difficult to translate into the English language all the different Hebrew and Greek words used for love. In English, we use love to mean so many different things. In Hebrew and Greek, they actually have specific words for each meaning of the word. The love of God that we are supposed to have for each other in Greek is agape, affection or benevolence, acting in kindness or an inclination to be kind towards others. Yet again, reiterating that the love of God is not just feeling but action.
True unity, being like-minded toward one another, glorifying God the Father with one mind and one mouth, is only possible through faith in Christ Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit; then we will be filled with God's agape love, and able to love others in this way. Jesus taught His disciples a new commandment, based on having unity through agape love. So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:31-35) Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God!
Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.” [II Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49] And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” [Deuteronomy 32:43] And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” [Psalm 117:1] And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope.” [Isaiah 11:10] (Romans 15:8-12)
We've studied in great detail that ...the gospel of Christ, ...it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16) God revealed that throughout scripture, through Moses and the prophets. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” [Isaiah 28:16] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For“whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” [Joel 2:32] (Romans 10:11-13) Just as the church in Rome had to accept that both Jews and Greeks were saved through faith only in Christ Jesus and that they had to love each other the way Christ loved, we all have to learn to accept others that way also.
Love and acceptance doesn't mean that we are fine the way we are and don't have to change. Remember, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ... “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-36) If we are fine the way we are, why do we have to be made free? Because we're not fine the way we are. In our natural state, we are all sinners, but through the supernatural power of God, through His Holy Spirit in us, we are made free from sin. But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18)
I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:19-23) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
We've studied in great detail that ...the gospel of Christ, ...it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16) God revealed that throughout scripture, through Moses and the prophets. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” [Isaiah 28:16] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For“whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” [Joel 2:32] (Romans 10:11-13) Just as the church in Rome had to accept that both Jews and Greeks were saved through faith only in Christ Jesus and that they had to love each other the way Christ loved, we all have to learn to accept others that way also.
Love and acceptance doesn't mean that we are fine the way we are and don't have to change. Remember, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ... “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-36) If we are fine the way we are, why do we have to be made free? Because we're not fine the way we are. In our natural state, we are all sinners, but through the supernatural power of God, through His Holy Spirit in us, we are made free from sin. But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18)
I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:19-23) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
We all are sinners, regardless of nationality, and we all need to be forgiven. We all need to be saved and delivered from our sins, in order to have an eternal relationship with God. None of us on our own, by our own will, power and ability can do what God requires to restore our relationship with Him. Therefore we all need a savior, and there is only One Savior, Who meets all the requirements God demands, the Lord Christ Jesus. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved! Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people! Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:14-16) AMEN!
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