Strong and able?

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 15:1-6

Who do you think the writer is referring to with the adjective word ‘strong’? 

The Greek word here is δυνατός, ή, όν / dunatos which means in this usage… ‘able’. The connotation is to be strong in soul: to bear calamities and trials with fortitude and patience, strong in Christian virtue, and firm in conviction and faith, as in this passage. To me this sounds like a growing spiritual maturity within the person, as the example again is Christ Himself as explained in verse three.

Do you consider yourself growing in spiritual maturity? Are you a disciple who understands to a degree the goal the Holy Spirit is working you towards? Then this passage is for you. Are you able? Have you learned the fruit of the Spirit of self control? Are you working on mastering the other eight fruit by the instruction of the Holy Spirit? If so… then you already know that we win when we work on helping others succeed. Is the Holy Spirit working on the inner characteristic of ‘endurance’ within you by helping you understand the scriptures? Is the concept of spiritual ‘hope’ increasing within you? 

Learning how to be in ‘harmony’ with a diverse people can be challenging, yet we are ‘called’ to that so that God will be glorified. The enemies of our souls are working overtime to divide us in every obvious possible way. How can you encourage someone today? Can you encourage the stranger? Can you be kind to the person who is obnoxious to you? Can you be patient with the complainers? Are you mature enough to hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit explain ‘why’ about certain individuals and the situations you are encountering? Do you have enough of the goodness of God in your heart to genuinely pray for them? Can you welcome people who you don’t always agree with? Can you see the value in people when you encounter them at their worst? That’s what Jesus did… with you.

Spiritual maturity is NOT easy, as it is the wholeness of the personality of Jesus Christ working through you by the Spirit. This only happens by the tutelage of the Holy Spirit as you listen and obey the instructions He is personally giving you. Are you listening? Are you quickly obeying without complaint and whining? Have you developed a STRONG and constant daily communication and ongoing conversation with Him? This passage is VERY anti-cultural in the current state we are living. We are to reach across those barriers and divides with the love of Christ, all the while being led by His Spirit.

Is your goal to help someone else succeed today? Or are you working on just trying to please yourself? Do you receive ‘joy’ from controlling others or from seeing others succeed without any accolades given to you? 

Selflessness. Humility. Generosity. Love.