We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:1-6
One of the many purposes of the Church, is to “Bear each others burdens” (Galatians 6:2) The Church is a community of believers, the family of God, that is there to help and support one another during this long road as a Christian. This is why being part of a local Church, is essential to your walk with Christ. Most who forsake the assembly of believers (Hebrews 10:25) typically fall away from the faith. Why? Because you were never meant to go this path alone, this is why Christ built His Church, and the gates of Hell will never prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, not to please ourselves” Now we can look at this a couple different ways, we can look at it spiritually and physically. Those who are weak in the faith, you can be an anchor for them. Maybe someone at Church is going through a personal crisis, help guide them through with the Word of God, the prayers of the Church, and the Holy Spirit. One day we will need emotional support also, this is a function of the Church, to bear each others burdens, to be there for one another. Also the Church should watch out for the physically ill, the shut ins, maybe somebody hasn’t been to Church in awhile, visit them and make sure they are alright. A simple phone call can change someons day. You are brothers and sisters in Christ as the Church, we need to act like it!
“Let us please his neighbors for his good, to his edification, for even Christ pleased not himself” We need to have a servant mentality like our Lord Jesus, who washed the feet of his own disciples.(John 13)We shouldn’t have the attitude, that we are too important or the problem is too little, to help these people. If they are part of your Church, they are your brother and sister in Christ, serve your Church just as Christ served the Church!
“So that through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” The Word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12) Share the scriptures to comfort your brothers and sisters, and also come to Church to hear the Word of God preached. The Sunday Sermon is manna for your soul, feed your soul with the Word of God, be edified by your brothers and sisters in Christ, pray for one another (James 5:16) Because the Church is the body of Christ, we serve because He served us, we love because He loved us first, we forgive because Christ has forgiven us , Amen!
