Saturday Romans 15:1-6

Paul calls for unity in the church.

Click here for an online Bible. Romans 15:1-6

Paul is addressing the unity of the body of Christ. Some are spiritually strong and some are spiritually weak. He talked about those who struggle with the freedom of Christ versus legalism. Those who are comfortable with freedom should not allow their freedom to become a stumbling block for those who do not understand. The unity of the church is more important than my freedom.

Now he continues with the idea of unity. It is up to the people who are spiritually mature to work for unity. The mature are to lovingly bear with the shortcomings of the weak. What he is saying here is that we are to love each other and not criticize each other. We all have issues with trying to follow Christ and we must love each other and help each other along.

Notice he is not saying to put up with sin but to bear each other’s shortcomings. His concern is unity rather than pleasing ourselves. Unity comes from Christ. There should be unity as we follow Christ. If someone is being selfish instead of following Christ then the unity breaks down.

Christ Himself suffered for the sake of the mission. We must put the mission first. Unity among the believers is necessary to accomplish the mission. It is the mission that Christ has given us that leads to unity.