Unity

Introduction

I have had a hard time learning the lesson that the process is just as important as the outcome. My very first job was cutting grass. I didn’t like the process but I liked the outcome. I like the knowledge that comes from learning but I rarely like the tediousness of having to read and study to get the knowledge. I like the meal but the preparation is not nearly as enjoyable. I enjoyed playing basketball or tennis or running track but I really didn’t like practice. You get the point. The outcome is celebrated. The process is isolating. The outcome is enjoyable. The process is work. The process is what builds character. The outcome is the reward. Hard lesson to learn. We all like the outcome but rarely like the process.

Paul has written a long letter trying to heal the rift between Jews and Gentiles. Instead of telling them to get along, he has explained how they are on level ground in their sin. Both groups have to respond in faith to the work of Jesus in order to be in relationship with God. When Paul begins writing chapter 12, he turns his attention to the practical application of this truth. If you are both lost and if Jesus is the answer for both then start treating each other differently. Learn to be merciful to each other just as God has been merciful to you. Live transformed lives. Part of the transformation is to do the hard work of love. To truly love another implies sacrifice and changing perception of that other. It also requires learning to accommodate each other.

Difficult process. Good outcome. The process is not pleasant. To love another and to sacrifice your own desires is not easy. But the outcome of unity will be celebrated. Paul knew unity would be the reward of working hard during the process. So much encouragement from Paul’s pen because of the gospel.

Chapter 15 is a summary statement about what preceded in chapter 14. Those who are strong in faith should support the weak. In verse 1, Paul is clearly against individualism. He is clearly against getting what you want because you want it. He is clearly against using your strong faith to intimidate or to insult the weak. We do not please ourselves, we try to please our neighbor. Jesus is our example of that.

Paul is not giving a blank check for the weak to take advantage of the strong. The weak cannot demand their way and claim to be offended by the strong. It is the opposite. The strong understands completely that there are certain things that are okay and not a problem; however, these may be set aside for the sake of the gospel. That’s the point. Verse 3—even Christ (the title of Messiah) did not please himself. This would not have been easy for the Gentiles. To intentionally restrict their freedom so that they could be in harmony with the Jews. For five years the Gentiles had been without the Jews. When the Jews were forced to leave Rome, the Gentiles would have eventually changed all kinds of things. The restrictions of Judaism would have been discarded. Five years later, here come the Jews with their dietary restrictions; their expectations about holy days; and their spiritual smugness.

And what does Paul instruct? Accommodate them. The Gentiles are not to say to the Jews “We are in charge.” Or “Get with the program.” Or “Don’t you read your Bible enough.” On the contrary. Paul tells the Gentiles you have the privilege of being like Jesus. The gospel isn’t about your pleasure, comfort, ease, or preference. The gospel is about salvation that results in harmony and unity. If there is disharmony then the gospel is maligned. If there is disunity then the work of Jesus is denied.

How?

How do we do this? First, a point of clarification. In no way is Paul endorsing doing the wrong thing in order to accommodate someone. Nor is Paul permitting one person to have the power to force the group to accommodate him or her. The church at Rome is divided into two groups. This is the will of God to bring two groups into one. This is not the will of God to give control to one person. There will be many times when someone will object to a practice or intent. In those cases, the one person can be encouraged, studied with, persuaded, and loved into seeing a different perspective. The weak and strong are groups not individuals. The will of God is going to be carried out individually, but this is not about one person having the ability to derail an entire congregation.

Second, Paul says the strong and the weak will both be in the scriptures. The scriptures (what we call the OT) are there to demonstrate how the process brings hope. Focus on the word “endurance.” This is not easy. There will be bumps along the way. Endurance suggests struggle. It suggests patience. It suggests perseverance and determination. Endurance means this will take time. It will take effort. The Scriptures are there to encourage us in that process. We read the stories of faith—Abraham, Ruth, Joshua, the prophets and learn that the process is rarely an easy road but the outcome is worth celebrating.

There will be times when we are discouraged. There will be times when we get angry or at least perturbed. There will be times we want to give up. There will even be times when we will get it wrong. But the outcome is worth the process. The focus is on our willingness to build up others rather than to get our way. And that is not easy.

From time to time I am asked to speak at other places. I’m glad to go. But I always ask what the appropriate attire is and I ask what version of the Bible they prefer? If you think those are foolish questions, then consider yourself among the strong. But I will preach from the KJV for the sake of the gospel. I will wear a suit for the sake of the gospel. I will not argue the point about freedom. I will not make fun of my weak brothers and sisters. I will not hold them up to ridicule.

Why? Verse 6—so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. That’s the reason. So that all can say Jesus is Lord. So that all can praise Father. So that our unity reveals the beauty of the gospel. Verse 7—accept as you have been accepted. For what purpose? In order to bring praise to God.

Third, hope is what holds this all together. Verse 4—We are in the scriptures so we might have hope. Verse 13—the God of hope fills us with joy and peace so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. This word hope carries the meaning of confident expectation of salvation. Our unity reveals the gospel. Our unity leads to praise to Father. And our unity reveals that we understand we will all be in heaven together. If we are going to spend eternity together shouldn’t we at least make the effort to forgo our own desires so that we can be in harmony now. The process of denying self now becomes the outcome of eternal bliss. The process has merit because the outcome will be celebrated. That’s how we see each other through the lens of hope. The Spirit gives us hope. God is filled with hope. We have hope. And we will all be together with Father one day. Invitation.

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