"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of
the weak and not to please ourselves." — Romans 15:1 (NIV)
Not all Christians have the same faith growth. Some have
slow spiritual growth, some grow fast. Some really believe in what they believe,
some don't. There are people who have understood the doctrine or the Bible
seriously, some have not. Paul exhorts the Romans that "We who are strong
ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves'"
(Roman 15:1 - NIV). This means that those of us who really believe in what we
believe must be patient with the problems or objections of people who are not
very sure of what they believe, or who are weak in faith.
Paul also forbade the Romans, not to seek their own
pleasure, but on the contrary, they had to please others. Of course not to be a
"people pleaser", but the aim is for the good of the people, so that
they are more and more built in faith. We do not please others to compromise our
faith and truth, but to build up weaker Christians to return to the true
teaching. We should do this because Jesus did it.
Jesus Christ Himself did not come into the world to seek His
own pleasure. Remember He had been in the garden praying for the Father "
not my will but your will" (Luke 22:42). He was willing to take the
risk. He was willing to be humiliated,
tortured, die and rise so that our faith in God will be fulfilled and not be in
vain. He sacrificed Himself to bear our weaknesses. Christ has become an example
for God's people by bearing the reproaches that peoples throw at the Father so
that they will repent. We as His children must bear the weakness/objection of
the hearts of other Christians so that those whose faith is weak may be
strengthened through our teaching in faith and love. Are we ready to be used by
God to strengthen those who are weak in faith?
Reflection on Romans 15:1-6 by Fr. Fransiskus Diaz, SVD
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