“Love One Another” Romans 14-16

Don’t Judge 1.Extra Biblical Standards (14:1;13) 2.External Appearance (James 2:1-4)

“Prejudice, favoritism, and discrimination in the body of Christ violate the law of God. Furthermore, they violate the very nature of the functioning body of Christ. We are all One. Every member important. If we show favoritism we also destroy the unity, harmony, and oneness in the body of Christ which Christ and Paul both played for and commanded.” –Gene Getz

Don’t Judge 1.Extra Biblical Standards (14:1;13) 2.External Appearance (James 2:1-4) 3.Excessive Estimation (1 Corinthians 4:3-5) -Instead of Judging, accept on another

Accept Connection (Hebrews 10:24,25) Discipline and Structure (1 John 4:18) Accountability Support and Strengthening (Philippians 2:1-5) Learn to Overlook Faults and Imperfections Healing and Confession Aids Acceptance (James 5:14-18)

Accept continuted… Confronting and Caring Aids Acceptance (Galatians 6:1-3; Prov. 27:5-6) Administer Truth (John 15:10-14; John 8:31,32)

Build Up Importance of the Word of God “Whole Body” effort

Challenge We are One, but are we unified? Take an action step instead of waiting

Romans Part II

The passages Rom 15:5 ‘live in such harmony with one another’ (ESV) Rom 15:14 ‘I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another’ (ESV) Rom. 16:16 ‘Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you’ (ESV)

Another The Greek word ‘one another’ allēlōn, ‘each other, a mutual relationship’, ‘you do it for me, I do it for you’. “It never refers to the relationship of Jesus to his disciples or of Christ to his people” (EDNT).

Live in harmony May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 15:5,6) Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Rom 14:19 NIV).

Admonish Greek word noutheteō, ‘to counsel about avoidance or cessation of an improper course of conduct, admonish, warn, instruct’ (BDAG). (1) You yourselves are full of goodness, (2) filled with all knowledge (Rom 15:14) How to (G. Getz): 1.With deep concern and love (I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears (Act 20:31 ESV)

1. With deep concern and love 2.Must be personal (I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears (Act 20:31 ESV) 3.Must persistent (for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears (Act 20:31 ESV) 4.Must be done with pure motives (I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children (1Co 4:14 NET) 5.Must be done with a proper goal (Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me, Col 1:28-29).

Greet another Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (Rom 16:16 ESV) All the brothers and sisters send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. (1Co 16:20 NET) Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. (2Co 13:12 NET) Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. (Phi 4:21 ESV)

Greet another Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. (1Th 5:26 NET) Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (1Pe 5:14 ESV) I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name. (3Jo 1:14 NIV)

G. Getz “It is always appropriate (and important) for Christians to ‘greet one another’; in a holy form that has deep meaning, reflecting sincere Christian love. Greetings among people generally tend to be quite empty: ‘Hello, how are you?’ without any thought of wanting to know how you really are. Many people say, ‘I’m glad you came’, while not caring if you’ll ever come again. All of these, of course, are meaningless and empty, if not in many instances downright dishonest and hypocritical”

Practical steps You cannot greet others sincerely if you do not really care about them, or if there is something between you and another Christian brother or sister. Make a serious effort to develop sincere interest in others… You’ll always be ‘running away’ – often blaming other people for not being interested in you.

Practical steps If you have difficulty expressing sincere affection and love for other Christians, your problem may be rooted in one of two sources. 1) You are a self-centered person, always thinking of yourself first and have built the world around yourself. 2) You feel uncomfortable with people because you are fearful. The Christian community can serve as a healing community.