Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Would turning aside a meal of a nice juicy pork roast be worth a soul? Would drinking that glass of wine be worth the loss of one soul who might stumble by our actions. Is it really worth it?

This is just a couple examples that we might not ever be faced with but there are other things. If you live by someone who had strict religious upbringing and you claimed to be a Christian but dressed in a way that would offend your neighbor, is our liberty really worth losing a brother or sister over?

Sometimes we may offend unknowingly but Paul says that we should not just please ourselves but do things that would edify our brethren.

When we gather together in the name of the Lord to worship, we should pray first that the whole service would please God and edify those in attendance.

Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.

If everyone of us would listen to this advice from Paul we would never give offense and cause someone to be lost by our neglect. Sometimes people will go away from God because of their own choice but at least we can do all we can to edify and not destroy the body of Christ by only doing our own things.

Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself: but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Everything that Jesus did was for everyone else. He did nothing for His own gain or profit. This is the exact opposite of today's world of getting ahead, outdoing everybody else and seeking material gain. 

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

The reading of the Old Testament was encouraged that we learn from their examples and failures. The scriptures bring hope. The only scriptures they had was Old Testament so it was what they used. Now we in this generation have the privilege of receiving spiritual enrichment from both testaments so we have a double blessing.

Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

If we can get the church in the same mind and one accord, we will see things happen like the apostles saw it.

In saying that, I am not talking of ecumenical movements and joining one big organization. I'm talking of the local body being of the same mind and once accord when we come together for worship, when we make plans for the church, when we pray and when we do work for the Lord.

Rom 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We with one mind and one accord should do all things to bring glory to God and never to ourselves or our own organization. There would be less strife and division if glorifying God was the goal instead of exalting our own interests.

Rom 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Without partiality, in love, in forgiveness and in putting up with each other's weaknesses, we should receive one another in the Lord.

Rom 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Jesus came to the Jews first to confirm the promises made unto their fathers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

Rom 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

Psalms 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

To the Jew first but also to the Gentiles is the gospel given. Through the mercy of God, the gospel is given to us as well as the Jews. The Old Testament prophets foretold of the gospel going to the Gentiles also.

Rom 15:10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
Rom 15:11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

This shows how Moses also foretold of the Gentiles being shown mercy along with Israel. We see from this also that the vengeance spoken of is for those that resist the truth and fight against God's people whether they be Jews or Gentiles.

Rom 15:12 And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

What an exciting promise that the Psalmist, Isaiah and Moses foretold that the Gentiles would be trusting in this root of Jesse which is Jesus Christ. And His rest is glorious. This rest can refer to the time when we go to meet the Lord forever but I see a rest that is for here and now and that is the rest we receive when we are refreshed and renewed in the Holy Spirit.

People that believe that we are saved by grace which is true but they sometimes think that is all there is to our relationship with the Lord. We can constantly walk in the spirit and have fellowship with the Lord. We are not just baptized in the Holy Spirit one time either. We should constantly seek to be filled with the spirit and walk in the spirit. This is an ongoing thing, never a once time experience.

We read in the book of Acts where the apostles were always being filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost.

Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Jesus didn't leave us without a helper. The Holy Ghost was sent for many reasons. We are never to be alone without guidance.

Rom 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

This knowledge and goodness comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We just have to open ourselves up to His presence and receive more and more of Him into our lives.

Rom 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
Rom 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

To be acceptable to God, all must be sanctified by the Holy Ghost. This is done when we repent and believe in Jesus Christ and also as we allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse us from sin and fill us with the Holy Spirit. The world goes out the spirit comes in. The old man leaves and we have the newness of life in the Holy Spirit. To overcome sin we have to remember first that Jesus paid for our sins with His death on the cross and then we have to allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse our sin and replace our own righteousness with the righteousness of Christ.

We have to change. We can't be saved and keep our old ways. We must walk in holiness which comes when we completely allow the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Sanctification is not taught as it once was but this can be a one time experience or a progressive experience as we yield to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.

The reason some of us take longer and others change the very moment they are converted is because some of us are holding onto our old sins and have not been willing to forsake them.

We are as close to God as we want to be.

Rom 15:17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
Rom 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Obedience is needed for victory over sin. We must obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. God never takes our free will away. He doesn't want puppets. We choose to yield to the Holy Spirit or we choose to disobey and hold onto our own nature hoping we are saved by grace when we first came to Christ. How miserable it is to try to straddle a fence and not give all to God by obedience in word and deed.

How would a marriage work if either the husband or the wife insisted on holding on to their old loves?  It wouldn't last very long.  To make a marriage work a man must put his wife above his past friendships and the wife has to do the same.  They must put each other in first place under God of course and sometimes that may mean that they have to cut off a few of their old friends if that old friendship interferes with the marriage.

We cannot hold onto our old nature and walk in the spirit.  Sin and the Holy Spirit cannot dwell together in the same temple.  We have to choose one or the other.  God is merciful and patient and some of this takes longer in some than in others but sooner or later we must choose who we are going to serve. 

Rom 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

These signs and wonders were done to convince the ungodly that the gospel they preached was the truth.

Rom 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

Paul's calling was to go forth to places that were not yet reached with the gospel. Some are called to disciple those that have already been saved.

Rom 15:21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Isaiah 52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Here is another glorious promise that the Gentiles are to receive the gospel.

Rom 15:22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

Paul's desire to reach all he could with the gospel sometimes hindered him from going back to those he had already reached.

Rom 15:23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
Rom 15:24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
Rom 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
Rom 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
Rom 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

This shows us that the main purpose is the share the gospel but we also have a responsibility to share the necessary things like food, clothing and other material needs of brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Rom 15:28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
Rom 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Rom 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
Rom 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
Rom 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Rom 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

We must always pray for one another and especially pray for those that are in the role of leadership. We see from these scriptures that even Paul coveted the prayers of the believers that he had won to Christ. If even Paul needed prayer, how much do our spiritual leaders need our prayers.

I don't know why God does things this way. Perhaps it is to get us to love one another for its hard to hate someone you are praying for.

I can actually feel it when someone is praying for me. I've had people also that thanked me for my prayers when I didn't tell them I was praying for them. They can feel it. This is one of the mysteries that I hope to find out about when I get to heaven. Why does our praying help someone else? I don't know, but I know that it does.