Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.
Animated by His Attributes
“You need to take care of yourself.” People often tell us that, but the truth is, we don’t need to be reminded of that. I took a 5-mile hike up a pretty stout mountain yesterday, and this morning my muscles are sore. I don’t need sometimes to tell me, “Hey, Rice, you need to take care of yourself.” My body is telling me that. Whether we take care of ourselves or not, we are intrinsically aware of the way we feel and of how we are doing. On the other hand, anyone who lives in another body, in another place, and in another state is another matter entirely. We do not naturally think of other people.
Romans 15 is about believers thinking of others and not just of themselves. Romans 15:1 says, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” I know what pleases me, and that is naturally what I put my energies toward. But the Bible teaches us here that how we treat others should be characterized by the God of patience, consolation, hope, and peace Who animates us. The Bible calls Him the God of patience and consolation in verse 5, the God of hope in verse 13, and the God of peace in verse 33.
This ethic of treating others as we have been blessed by God is personified in Jesus. Verse 3 says, “For even Christ pleased not himself.” It goes on to tell us about Jesus’ sacrifice for us. If Jesus would give so much for our good, how much more should we be used by Jesus to do good for those around us?
This ethic is also revealed in Scripture. Verse 4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” It is referring back to Scriptures that talk about how the Lord Jesus put Himself aside to help us.
Thirdly, this ethic is empowered by God the Holy Spirit. Verse 13 says, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” We can abound in hope and have joy and peace as we believe in the God Who is the God of hope. That God empowers us to serve others through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lastly, this ethic of being characterized by the God who animates us is illustrated by Paul and those who were saints in that day. Verses 25-26 say, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” Both Paul and those who listened to him lived beyond themselves because they did not live for themselves. God provided for them because God provided through them.
Today, it is easy to think about yourself, but there is a God Who is characterized by patience, comfort, hope, and peace Who wants to live through you in such a way that you are characterized by the same attributes.