WITH ONE HEART AND MOUTH GLORIFY GOD

Passage: Romans 15:1-6

Key verse: 6

NIV

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(A) and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,(B) to build them up.(C) 3 For even Christ did not please himself(D) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a](E) 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,(F) so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind(G) toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify(H) the God and Father(I) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Example of Christ

15 (A)We who are strong (B)have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 (C)Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For (D)Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, (E)“The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For (F)whatever was written in former days was written for our (G)instruction, that through endurance and through (H)the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you (I)to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify (J)the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Please your neighbor for his good (1-4)

We are all inclined to be selfish. But Christ was not selfish. He did not please himself, but served others (Mk 1

:45). Finally, he died to save others. Those belonging to Jesus should not be selfish, either. We should try to please our neighbor for his good. This means that we should act in such a way that the faith of others is built up, not torn down. In order to endure, we need hope. God encourages us through the Scriptures and by his Holy Spirit. God's promises plant hope in our hearts. Because of this glorious hope, we can live by God's word rather than by our own feelings and ideas.

2. A spirit of unity (5-6)

Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples (Jn 17:21). When each of us makes it his aim to please Christ, and when we follow him closely, then we will be one in him. We can glorify him together with one heart and mind.

Prayer: Lord, forgive my selfishness. Help me to follow my Lord Jesus, and love my brothers and sisters in Christ. Grant true unity of mind and heart in Jesus to all of God's people.

One Word: Glorify God with one heart and voice