The Strong and the Weak

Daily Reading: Romans 15

Scripture Focus: 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... (Romans 15.1-3)

Devotional Thought:   Do you consider yourself a "strong Christian"?  Those who are strong in the Lord are not to use their strength for themselves, but rather to help the weak.  In the world’s system, the strong please themselves by exerting their strength over the weak.  In God’s Church it is not to be that way.  This weekend I went to the circus with my granddaughters.  It was exciting, but exhausting.  We were out late – later than the youngest could peaceably tolerate… She was – to put it delicately – a bit sensitive.  Her mommy and daddy realized her "weakness" and gave her grace.  That’s the way we need to be in the church.

Do you think of yourself as a "weak Christian"?  Those who are weak in the Lord are not to remain that way!  Just as it would be wrong for my two year old granddaughter to continue acting like a two year old all her life, so also the weak cannot use their weakness to continually excuse bad behavior. We all are meant to grow spiritually just as we are meant to grow physically.  How we grow in the Lord is up to us.  We do not need the church to be filled with baby Christians.

Christ is our example.  His is the ultimate strength, yet he did not exert his strength to get his own way.  Rather, he used his strength as the means of serving the needs of the weak – he did for us what we could not do for ourselves.  He died on the cross to provide our forgiveness and rose from the dead to provide us life.  When we consider Christ, who “emptied himself” and became nothing, we should realize that we too are called to live our lives for others.

Prayer: Lord, in my weakness, help me to be strong.  In my strength, help me to bear with the failings of the weak.  In all things may I please Jesus!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 30.1-5

1 I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

3 O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.

5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.