IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Accept One Another

Date: Jun. 27, 2023

Passage

Romans 15:1-13

The Example of Christ

15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

  “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name.”

10 And again it says,

  “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again,

  “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again Isaiah says,

  “The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
  in him will the Gentiles hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Jesus wants us to edify and to build up one another. Those who are strong may think, “We have no reason to suffer for those who are weak.” But this passage mentions that those who are strong must bear with the failing of the weak. In our practical and ever competing society, this may sound wrong. We may say, those who are weak should take care of themselves, and those who are strong must gain whatever they deserve. But Jesus showed us personally that he bore our weakness. Verse 3 says, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” All the insult that we should receive because of all our sins and weaknesses, which we should bear, has fallen on Jesus. Jesus is God himself and the sinless Son of God. Jesus had no reason to be insulted. However, he took all our insults because he loved us. Jesus wants us to have the same mind and attitude for one another so we may glorify God.

Since Jesus, who is God himself, accepted us ugly sinners, we must accept one another no matter what. Because of Jesus’ love and mercy, even all Gentiles were accepted in God’s family. We, who are Gentiles, have hope of the kingdom of God because of Jesus’ one-sided love for us.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins even though we are Gentiles. Help us to accept one another and to build up the body of Christ and glorify your name.

One Word: One Word: Accept one another in Christ.

Daily Bread

God Stills the Conflict

Psalm 76:1-12

Key Verse: 76:6

At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both rider and horse lay stunned.

Read More

Intro Daily