Traits of Christ Needed in Your Life – Part Two

Romans 15: 1 – 13

        We need to program ourselves on the Word of God and fine tune ourselves through prayer.  Both contribute to personal and group harmony.  They result in “patience” (do you need it) and “comfort,” (do you want it)?

        The word “patience” has two root parts. “Huper” means under and “meno”  means “to abide.”  To have patience is to abide under a load. To enable this we are, by our Lord, “strengthened with all power” (Col. 1: 11).  The root word from which strengthened comes is “sterizzo.” It is the word from which we get our word steroid. It means to build up from within. Jesus builds up from within.

        The word for “comfort,” “paraklesis” means encouragement.

        This results in “hope.” This is a word for exhortation. Hope means confidence in a future certainty. 

        One of my favorite personalities, Booker T. Washington, once said: “I believe that any man’s life will be filled with constant and unexpected encouragement if he makes up his mind to do his level best every day and as nearly as possible reaches the high-water mark of pure and useful living.”   Simply stated, servanthood brings joy.

        In the bleakest days of World War II just before France capitulated to Germany, Winston Churchill outlined the situation for the British Parliament in the bleakest of colors. Finishing he stepped back in silence for a moment. Faces in the assembly evidenced despair. He then stepped back to the mike and said, “Gentlemen, I find it rather inspiring.” He recognized the moment was an opportunity.  There is hope in action.

        Do you believe in brain transplants? The Bible teaches it is possible. Scripture teaches it: Jesus’ mind indwells us  — (Vss. 5, 6). When it does we begin to think like Jesus. These verses constitute a prayer for like-minded love.

        When the Spirit indwells the believer the mind of Christ is present (Vs. 5). When each believer has the mind of Christ all are like-minded. 

        Verse 6, “That,” HINA, explains the reason for unselfish unity.  When the mind and mouth are in accord, it will “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Christ Jesus.”

        Churches need to strive for love and unity because when the love and harmony inside the church exceeds the hate and conflict outside the church, then those outside the church are going to want to come inside the church. 

    Scripture demands unity. (Vss. 7).

        Because Christ received us without favoritism, we ought to do the same for one another. Christ despised no one and neither should we.

        Jesus received us. The word for received is “proslambamo” which means to accept into one’s heart as a friend. That is what Christ did for us.