Day 23 Endurance in the Fellowship

10/21- Tuesday Romans 15:1-6- 1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4For 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. 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bonhoeffer- He who would learn to serve must first learn to think little of himself...It is extreme-- but we must forgo self- conceit and associate with the lowly. 

Thoughts: Part of being in the fellowship is to learn from each other.  We can learn from the failures of others, and also from the successes of others.  So Biblical literacy is important- to know the content of the Bible that we may learn from those who have gone before us- their successes and failures.  Some things we may learn from others are endurance and encouragement.  Christ, did not please himself, but endured insults for the sake of others. We can see how people persevered and were blessed and how we can encourage one another to not give up.  We should try to think of each other as Christ things of us.  We are someone for whom Christ came for and died for.  We are valuable in God’s eyes as His child.  No one should put another down, nor should they degrade or judge someone in the church.

Prayer: Lord, give me your eyes to see others as you see them.  Help me to have the grace and strength I need to treat others as you treat me.