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“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:1-7, ESV)

Pastor Abel’s sermon on this passage is titled, “Dealing with Weak People”.

The words ‘endurance’ and ‘encouragement’ are both repeated twice in the above passage. They bring to mind a race, or some other strenuous physical activity, that one can only accomplish by enduring the pain that comes with it.

This Christian life is like that. It is a difficult race, and it can feel hopeless at times. And, just as with a physical race or endurance challenge, it is better to do it with other people.

Above, Paul specifically calls out two ways that our Christian life is strengthened by other people:

  1. It is strengthened by the people of God from long ago, who God used to write the Scriptures. Think of it. Thousands of years ago, heroes of the faith, who loved God, people like Moses, Samuel, David, or the prophet Jeremiah, sacrificed significant time and energy to write down the words of Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that future generations could be strengthened in faith. We are not alone. We stand on their shoulders, and this should give us hope to endure.
  2. It is strengthened by believers who are alive today, running the race beside us. When you train physically, it always helps to have a friend who is stronger than you, to come alongside you, helping you to improve. So it is with the Christian life. We need each other. That is why it is crucial to go to church on Sunday, to worship God with other Christians, so that we will not lose heart.

Because we are not alone, we should be encouraged to run the race God has given us to run. As the author of Hebrews penned:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV)

 

Further Study

  • Read Hebrews 11:1 – 12:2. Who are some of the heroes of the faith listed in this passage that have encouraged you the most in your walk with God?
  • Who has God put on your heart to encourage and build up?
  • Article: “Who Wrote the Bible?” By John Piper
  • Article: “Encourage One Another” by Kevin DeYoung