Can't We All Just Get Along Pt. 3 Rom. 15:1-6

Can’t we all just get along? Over the last few weeks we have been looking at Romans 14 for the answer. So far in our pursuit of getting along within the context of the believing community we’ve learned that respect of others (specifically those of differing degrees of Christian freedom and different views of peripheral issues) is essential. We’ve also learned that condemnation—acting as the judge of our brother/sister in Christ—ought to be quenched and left to the Lord if a spirit of unity is to be achieved. Today we are going to enter Romans 15 and discover another means by which harmony is possible—service. In fact, Paul is going to highlight 5 parts of this key to ecclesiological practice in Romans 15:1-6.

a. The Obligation of Service-15:1

In order to get along well, Paul has already established respect as the proper attitude that should characterize the members of the church and condemnation as a practice it should avoid. Now that these intangible traits have been thoroughly delineated, the apostle moves on to discuss in very practical terms what the church ought to do with this proper/corrected mindset—SERVE!

Believers, especially the “strong” among them, are under an obligation to serve their counterparts in an effort to get along—“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength” (15:1a). Before one can appreciate what this means, he must be reminded of the context. Paul is ultimately concerned (as it pertains to the church in Rome) about table fellowship. The strong members of the church allowed themselves to eat anything and the weak among them were still adhering to Old Testament restrictions on certain foods. This reminder along with an understanding that here “strong” and “weak” means “capable” and “incapable” respectively helps us understand that what is really being discussed is what people allow themselves to do and what usefulness that affords them in their mission (the edification of the saints and evangelizing the lost). Paul’s point in verse 1 is this: “it was not enough that the strong simply put up with the foibles of weaker Christians; they were to bear the weaknesses of the immature” (Mounce, Romans, 259). “Bear the weaknesses” means actively supporting a brother, not just tolerating him, for the purpose of building up the saints and reaching the lost.

For this to really work, believers cannot be in the business of service for the purpose of self-aggrandizement—“and not just please ourselves” (15:1). In other words, for the church to get along well its members ought to be more eager to serve others than satisfy themselves.

Perhaps an analogy might prove helpful here.  The church ought to be comparable to an aircraft carrier not a cruise ship. On an aircraft carrier, the military personnel contribute to the mission at hand by supporting those around them and serving the needs of those on board as they efficiently and effectively execute what is called for by the captain. Those onboard are more concerned about a successful mission than they are about having a great time and feeling comfortable. In fact, those who have enlisted understand that often there is danger and a great deal of discomfort associated with a naval career. However, these nonetheless voluntarily sign up, believing all the while that they are contributing to something bigger than themselves. On a cruise ship, people can pick and choose what kind of room they are willing to pay for that will provide them with the best comfort. Everything from excursions, menu items, room service, activities, and shows are provided in large variety so that those on board can achieve the greatest personal satisfaction. Those on a cruise ship are more concerned about their needs than they are any mission, in fact, comfort, relaxation, and personal satisfaction IS the mission on a cruise ship. Anything that jeopardizes this is called out and proves to be a source of complaint. It is not the job of customers on a cruise line to serve, but to be served. Unfortunately, many churches have become cruise ships filled self-entitled vacationers trying to find as much pleasure in this world while they await the next. What is needed are more battleships filled with focused seamen intent on accomplishing a mission, placing their allegiance to the captain over personal preferences. Ultimately, church members ought to think of themselves as servants not consumers for service is what believers are biblically obligated to do.

b. The Motivation for Service-15:2

However, service itself must be conducted with the right motivation. It was and remains possible that some might be eager to serve others, but even in this activity seek to serve themselves. This is why Paul says, “each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification” (15:2).

A helpful comparison to employ here might be of a commission-based pay structure verses a salary pay structure. Often in commissioned-based pay structures, people serve the customer in part for what they hope to reap in commission. Some might pull out all kinds of stops or supplant the efforts of a fellow employees for the sake of the sale, being named employee of the month, and receiving a larger paycheck. Salary-based employees know what their reward is regardless of how good that month proves to be and as such are not under the same stress to “get theirs by any means necessary.” They are rewarded because of their faithfulness over the long haul and as such are freed to consider each customer’s needs prior to their own. Members of the church are not commission-based employees of God. There is no employee of the month award in the church, no reason to walk over others to show off how much you can accomplish, and no obligation to always be “closing the sale.” Instead, the believer’s reward is secure and faithfulness is what is called for. As a result, believers ought to serve for the sake of others and not themselves.

It is one thing to do good for others when there is some kind of kick-back. But it is another thing entirely to do good for others out of simple faithfulness. The latter is what Paul was concerned about in the church in Rome. The believer’s motivation in serving in the church ought to be the development of its members in maturity—again so that the body of Christ might be edified and used of God to evangelize the world.

c. The Example of Service-15:3-4

Thankfully, believers have the most excellent example of all to follow in this endeavor—Christ, “For even Christ did not please himself” (15:3a). You will be hard-pressed to find an example of Christ doing something for Himself. In fact, a close examination of the gospels will quickly reveal quite the opposite. Jesus lived to serve others. He spent his youth working with his dad and explaining the scriptures in the synagogue, healed scores of people during his ministry (often going well out of his way in the process), stopped to chat with people in the midst of crowds (like the woman with the issue of blood), engaged people in precarious situations (i.e. the Samaritan woman), took added measures to explain things for bone-headed disciples (often after parables), patiently endured the twelve’s shenanigans (Peter—need we say more), served food to thousands (who were looking for a handout), washed the disciple’s feet, suffered innocently on the cross and everything leading up to it (the circus trial, beatings, and crucifixion). Jesus even used his last breaths to encourage a thief hanging next to Him! Following his resurrection, he appeared to his cowardly colleagues and provided added proofs of himself to the doubtful (like Thomas). He also made available every encouragement possible to his followers in their new mission. Even now in the glory of heaven Jesus serves as an advocate before God on behalf of believers. About the only thing that Jesus did for himself was sneak away every now and then to pray alone and spend time with the Father. However, even that was so he might be refreshed to serve and prepared to give of himself thereafter. Paul is on good ground when he says “Christ did not please Himself” and in referencing Christ provides the greatest example of what service for others looks like.

The selfless life of Christ is reflected in Psalm 69:9—“the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me” (15:3b). In this reference Christ is the speaker and God is implicated in the second person pronoun. Christ’s very life was offered, according to this verse, as a service to God. His entire mission was an act of service to God in which he bore the burden of weak and sinful men so that they might be made right again. Mark 10:45 says it this way, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The example of the life of Christ (foreshadowed in Psalm 69:9) served as a catalyst for ongoing perseverance in service in the first century and continues to accomplish the same today. Paul says in verse 4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  Though it can prove difficult to serve given one’s ego and pesky flesh, Paul encourages both the first century and twenty-first century church by arguing that the difficulty is bearable because God in his Word “instructs” us in what to do, provides us with examples that “encourage” us on how to do it, and gives a most amazing “hope” to look forward to in the end. Are you lacking in your motivation to serve or looking for an example to follow? Paul says, “read the Scriptures!” There you will find that the call to serve is clear, all the inspiration you need to get started is present, and the greatest example to follow is found in Jesus.

d. The Prayer of Service-15:5-

Next, Paul offers a prayer for service in verse 5. He begins with “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement” (15:5a). Notice, that the encouragement to serve and the perseverance to serve (or really to accomplish anything righteous) come ultimately from God who out of his grace enables people to behave in these counter-natural ways.

Many believers trust that God is the active agent behind salvation past—justification. However, fewer understand that God is also actively engaged in furthering the salvation process along at present in sanctification. The same God who saved believers by grace is saving the same through a continuous stream of grace that allows us to grow in all aspects to be like Christ, especially in service.

Paul calls upon the God of encouragement and perseverance to “grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus” (15:5b). Paul’s prayer is simple—that everyone in the church would have the same mindset –a Christ-like mindset—toward and for one another. Paul prays something similar for the church in Philippi.

Philippians 2:2, 5-“Fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal,…make your attitude that of Christ Jesus.”

We already learned in Romans 14 that respect, not condemnation, is a unifying agent. Here, Paul prays that service would also prove to be a unifying agent in the church. This prayer betrays that service, not selfishness, is a key to unity and getting along as we edify one another and engage the world around us.

e. The Purpose of One’s Service-15:6

That unity is one of the consequences of a church full of servants is indicated as Paul articulates the purpose of one’s service in verse 6. The first consequence is assumed—“so that with one accord you may with one voice” (15:6). Unity is a by-product of a church that serves. But unity for what purpose?

Unity that seeks to, as Paul reveals in verse 6, “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,…” (15:6b). God receives glory when His people serve each other in the context of the church for in so doing, the body is encouraged and evangelism is effective. As an encouraged body and effective evangelism make much of God, he is glorified in these that are helped along when brothers and sisters get along by exercising respect, staving off condemnation, and enlisting in service.

Yet another comparison might help highlight what a church full of servants is NOT—a pool of self-promoters. Many in our world today work tirelessly to self-promote. The compendium of social media apps on people’s phones betray the multitudinous ways in which people seek to make much of themselves (for better or worse).  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat which allow people to promote literally anything about their lives (what they are wearing, eating, doing, and where they are going). However, there is another classification of sites that seek to advance causes. These include but are not limited to sites like “gofundme” which allow people to advertise causes, agendas, etc. that they hope people will contribute to. The church is to be more like the latter than the former. The church is not to be in the self-promotion business—always finding ways to talk about how great its members are. Instead, it is to be promoting the agenda of the only one worthy of that kind of attention—God. His mission is something that people can get excited about and sign onto as a contributor!  When the church serves well, it promotes the agenda of the one who is ultimately served—the Lord God—and the purpose for which one serves in the first place—to advance His kingdom.

So What?

In this passage Paul reveals believers are biblically obligated to serve for the sake of others by following Jesus’ example and depending on God’s help so that unity and God’s glory may result. In traveling through this passage, we’ve learned that a church that get’s along with itself and is a compelling witness to the world around it looks less like a cruise ship full of entitled customers competing for comfort and popularity, capturing and posting every last detail of their vacation in a personal social media campaign and more like a selfless team of personnel on a battleship advancing and promoting the mission of God while seeking to build up their fellow shipmates through tireless service of others and allegiance to the captain and his agenda.

Which image is more in keeping with your perception/practice?