Romans 15:3
For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
Here is a truth we have a very hard time applying to our lives. In the above passage Paul has just told the Romans believers, who are strong, to bear with the failings of those, in the body of Christ, who are weak. We are not to attempt to please ourselves. Read what Paul writes just before our focus verse, above, for today:
Romans 15:1-2
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Perhaps the hardest concept in the Christian's life is putting the will, actions and attitude of others before we please ourselves. Unselfish behavior is the ability to put the welfare of others before our own welfare. This may be the hardest thing we do, especially when their failings cause a "reproach" on us. Note that the example Paul gives for this type of lifestyle is that of our Lord Jesus Christ. The most powerful words in the these three verses if the first word in verse thee, "For Christ." Paul states his case (don't look to please yourself) and then gives us the example and motivation: For Christ ...!!! When are to look to Christ when others do weak things and fail in front us and create a "reproach" to us (the word "reproach" is the Greek word, "oneidismos" and means to defame us or disgrace us). Christ is the example and the means by which we are able to "bear" with the weak. He lived it and lives it in us. He was "reproached" for us. We often think that when others hurt us we are to simply forgive and forget and all is made better and made different. The real truth is that any and all "reproach" that has been done against us was already, on the cross, laid on Him. Since He saves us and lives in us, any reproach we feel, experience, endure, was first laid on Him at the cross and is being dealt by Him after the cross. We forgive others and bear with others because Christ already forgave and already bears under that burden for us. We might feel vindictive in our spirits and want the lash out. However, Christ has already bore that pain and paid for that burden. He defeated that sin they have done against us, on the cross. We have no right and no need to bear it ourselves. We don't need to please ourselves and get our revenge or our "word in," or our anger out, because that reproach that reproaches us "fell" on Him. Rejoice a truth that not only allows you to forgive someone, it sets you free from revenge and recoiling. We can love those who fail us because He took care of it on the cross and is taking care of it through His living in us.
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