4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, 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 toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.”[c]
10 Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[d]
11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.”[e]
12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”[f]
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:4-13
Even in the best of times the work of unity, the efforts for harmony, and the toils toward peace often prove difficult. Why is that human beings make this process harder than it has to be? Despite the best intentions, ancient practices of isolation and exclusion continue to demolish any attempt made at building unity. Recently I came across Romans 15 and its method for eradicating the primal traditions of segregation and rejection, which is to simply make one another feel welcome.
While most others turn to self-help books for transcendental support, Romans 15 urges brothers and sisters in Christ to turn God's word for guidance on conflict resolution and administering justice. For God's word is full of the resolute encouragement we need when despair threatens to tear away at our unity. Moreover, Romans 15 indicates that God is glorified by our worship only when harmony permeates in and among the body of God's church.
Sure there are times when extending our welcome seems impossible. However, Romans 15 declares that Christ's death and resurrection already secured the most difficult welcome of all. And by doing so Christ not only made it possible to welcome us, but made it feasible for us to welcome each other as well. Having not the mind of a master, Romans 15 says disciples would do well to follow Christ's example and extend their welcome with the heart of servant.
Because Christ fulfills promises of past, present, and future; Romans 15 declares that Gentiles and all undesirables now have a seat at Christ's table. In response to such a gracious welcome, Romans 15 urges disciples to the let our unending praise become both a thanks to God and a witness to others for all that God has done in our lives. Built on faith, Romans 15 says our praise and witness gives us the hope we need to welcome Christ's rule over our lives.
For it is our hope that will protect us when grief and suffering seek to stop the melody of our song or dim the glow of our witness. No where in Romans 15 do we read that with faith comes despair and anxiety. Instead, Ro 15 reminds us that joy and peace will always accompany faith. Ro 15 concludes by saying genuine hope is a hope that doesn't stay small for long. Rather, true hope is a hope that constantly grows with each new day. Whether it be joy, peace, or hope; Romans 15 says it is the Holy Spirit that makes all things grow inside us.
So this week let us reaffirm our commitment to the cause of unity by extending the reach of our welcome. Remember, it's never as hard as it seems. What's hard is a life consumed with turmoil and division. What's difficult is a table with no place to sit. Our world aches for peace if only for one minute. Our neighbors desire a place to sit down if only for one meal. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we can deliver the peace our world needs and supply the fellowship our neighbors crave; and it starts when we welcome one another.
CJE