ROMANS 15:1

“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves.”

Don’t you just love it when you see someone coming to the aid of someone who needs a helping hand? I will never forget having the privilege of doing that. Sometimes it was an elderly person who needed a hand to get up out of a chair. Or it might have been a child that I could help learn something new or lift something that was too heavy for them. This is a great practice for us to do.

Paul begins chapter 15 today with an admonition to we who are stronger in our faith to come to the aid of those who are weaker. This might be a brand new follower of Christ or someone who just has not been discipled on how to walk with Jesus. Disciple making is the most overlooked discipline of the church today, I believe. We are quick to “save” someone but very slow about discipling them into effective disciple makers.

APPLICATION

Let’s look at some key words in today’s verse. First, what does “strong” mean? It’s the Greek word dunatos which means able, mighty or powerful. Of course, we know our power comes through the Holy Spirit Who indwells us. Therefore, as we help someone, they are exposed to the Spirit’s power, not our own.

Next we read in the verse that we “ought to bear.” The Greek word for “bear” is bastazó which literally means to lift, carry or take up. The same word is used in Galatians 6:2 where it says we are to bear one another’s burdens. Two can lift a lot more than one can. I once taught twelve boys under the age of 11 to lift an 800 log up four feet to place it on a porch. They worked together to achieve the impossible.

Then Paul refers to the other person’s “weaknesses.” That’s the Greek word adunatos. Look familiar? Yes, it is the same word for “strong” with the preposition a– which negates it. So, it means without power, without capability. People who have not learned how to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit or who don’t even possess the Spirit can never face life’s challenges effectively. In Matthew 19:26 this word is used when Jesus says it is “impossible” for someone to be saved with out God.

Are you strong in your faith and in your knowledge of the power than resides within you as a follower of Christ? If so, bear your weaker brothers’ and sisters’ burdens. This will please the Father.

Lord, show me who to lend my help to in order to grow them into effective disciple makers for You.

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