TUESDAY November 3, 2020

The Comfort of the Scriptures

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:3-4

Paul exhorted Christians to walk in love toward their fellow brethren. They should not be selfish––pleasing themselves. The strong ought to bear with those who are weaker in the faith. Christians have a responsibility to care and watch over younger believers. Respect people’s freedoms in Christ. We are no longer under the Law; we live by the grace of God!

If a believer strives, becoming critical and judgmental, these bad attitudes will just make other people mad. Those weaker in the faith can be made to stumble. Immature believers may become resentful, even hateful towards those who criticize them. They will want to avoid you! Those who are judgmental can cause others to walk away from Christ. Love always unites people, it does not divide. Love builds a person up in Christ.

To make his point clear, Paul used Christ as our example to follow. He quoted from Psalm 69:9: Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul would again have us to consider Christ’s example:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Christ became a Servant to us; He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). He bore our sins on the Cross. Christians need to learn from the Scriptures. Be Christ-like and please God. The Scriptures give comfort and hope.

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
~Psalm 119:114~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!