What Does Strong Look Like?
Romans 15:1-4 NKJ
1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me." 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
We then who are strong. What was Paul talking about? Those who were strong physically? Maybe he was referring to those who are mentally strong. Because the chapter was written as a letter without chapter and verse, Paul was continuing his thoughts about faith. He had spent a good part of chapter fourteen talking about someone who was strong in faith and a person who was weak in their faith. He concluded chapter fourteen on the subject of faith, and so verse one speaks to those who are strong in their faith.
Someone who is strong in faith is able to handle the scruples of the weak. A better word for scruples is weaknesses. Some who is strong in their faith should bear with the weaknesses of those who are weak in their faith. And the other thing about those who are strong in their faith - they don't live to please themselves. We know that it takes a level of strength to not live to please ourselves. To put up with other people's weak areas takes strength. Strong has a lot to do with how other people are treated. Are we fed up with their weaknesses, or do we put up with their weaknesses? Are we out to please ourselves, or are we here to please others for their good and build them up? Strong is not isolating ourselves from others but rather building others up. Strong is looking past their weaknesses. Strong is looking out for what is best for others. When we look at it this way, how many truly strong people do we know?
Paul continues with the not pleasing ourselves theme. Even Jesus did not please Himself. Jesus did not do what was best for Him. He did what was best for them. Even to the point that insults and reproaches meant for God fell on Him. We know that Jesus was strength personified. He is our example of what true strength looks like. He did not please Himself, and if we are strong, we do the same thing.
The things that were written about Jesus and the godly men and women of old were written for our benefit. The things that were written refer to what Jesus did and what the saints of old did. The reason they were written was to give us instruction. We can learn from their experience and example. So that we, through perseverance and the comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. I really like that last part of verse four. We through endurance and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. By persevering and receiving the comfort, the aid of the Scriptures, we can have hope. Strong receives from the Scriptures. Strong has hope, an expectation of good. For the believer strong has a diferent look.
Prayer
Lord, may I be strong in You. Enable me to be a blessing to those who are weak and to not please myself.