As we walk by faith in the salvation of our Savior, we are to grow, develop, and live in God’s strength. It is not unusual for people who have been in a relationship with Jesus for decades to think those years is what actually makes them mature and strong in the faith. Time does not make us mature or fill us with integrity; surrender and obedience does. Faith is action and a positive response to the work of the Spirit. So, our level of growth is based on how well we listen and do the anointed Word (Is 55:11).
It is the active faith we have used in following Jesus and his Word during our relationship time that determines the maturity of our faith. We work out our salvation by experiential learning as we trust and apply God’s Word to our lives. Therefore, you may only have known Christ a short while but soar in spiritual matters, because you have used your faith wisely. Salvation is the beginning; becoming like Jesus is the finished work of Spirit-led faith. We can memorize a whole bunch of Scripture and sound mature, but if that Word is not alive—with victorious dominion in our thoughts or revealed through our disciplined actions—we are simply pretending to be Spirit-led. All creation is waiting for the revelation of Christ—in the children of Light (Romans 8:19).
In our passage today, Paul is sharing about how love should motivate those who are spiritually mature. We are to put self on the back burner and learn to live in a way that actually helps other believers gain maturity. God’s love will keep us in a place of harmony and unity. We are to welcome other believers, flaws and all, in order to be a blessing in helping one another grow. Christ’s followers—believers—are all seeking to overcome a sin nature; therefore, we are all being pulled from the same pit. If we are trying to cover our sin, rather than be delivered from it, we do not understand the gospel of the Christ.
Genuine faith is revealed in how we think about salvation; and therefore, how we respond to others. You were never created to live as a self-pleaser or a people-pleaser; you are to be a God-pleaser. That being said, it is unwise for us to pick fights with one another or think more highly of our spiritual prowess. God has a way to humble us. Be kind, compassionate, and loving to others. You don’t have to agree with them; you do need to live by the values and perspective of Christ. The more mature we become, the more we love others [even the immature] in the household of faith, as well as the being burdened with love for the spiritually lost.
Romans 15:1-6 NLT Living to Please Others
1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping us grow in wisdom and strength. Please motivate us to reach for your perspective in order to live in a greater measure of spiritual maturity, humility, and kindness each day. We need help remaining in a place of harmony that glorifies you. The world is busy corrupting your pure love, but with our Helper we can remain faithful in how we reveal the reality of love leading our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.