This morning, I was reading through Romans 15, and something struck out to me, especially in light of arguments I hear Christians having with one another: don’t be a hinderance. St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430) summed it up nicely: “In Essentials, unity, in non-essentials, Liberty, in all things, love.” On matters of import, absolutely, stand your ground, but on non-essentials, show grace. And this goes both ways!
In Romans, Paul was writing to a divided church: one side Jewish, the other Gentile, and he was seeking to reconcile both before he went further west to Spain. The Church was arguing over how to worship: the Jewish members, in a more traditional Jewish sense, and the non-Jewish members in a more “modern” (for the time) sense. In many ways, we can, like they did (and arrogantly, I might add) stand on a position that is non-essential, and browbeat someone else who doesn’t see it exactly like we do into wanting nothing to do with us or the Church at all. Loved ones, St. Augustine of Hippo had it right: if our position is non-essential, show liberty. Stand together on the essentials, and show love in all things. God hates division, as is evidenced throughout Scripture, so let us not participate in non-essential arguments, but seek to work together for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Romans 15
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, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 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. 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. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
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, 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.”
And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”
And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
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.
This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
