Building Up

DEVOTION
ROMANS
BUILDING UP
Rom 15:1-3
15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
NIV
It appears I would have to admit, I am strong in my faith, I have freedom in Christ and I know without a shadow of doubt the path God choose for me to travel. So does spiritual pride enter into my life, having this complete confidence in God and what he is doing for me, in me and through me? Perhaps to a degree, I must at least admit to myself, yet not really when I actually consider I am but a sinner saved my grace. I am not any better or any worse than all others who are saved by grace. Actually I am not any better or worse than others who are not saved by grace, I am simple saved by grace. But having thought that out, I do have a certain sense I should not expect all others to have the same kind of faith I do. It appears from these verses there may well be people who know the Lord as their Savior but are somewhat weak in their walk with him. From the preceding dissertation about eating and drinking, this seems to follow up in the same manner. Instead of expounding on the virtues of my faith, and the strength of my convictions, I should bear with those who are weaker, bear, which is to take up with my hands or heart. and in fact endeavor to build him up. How do I please that neighbor, that fellow believer who is weak? How do I build them up? Do I tell them about how they should be stronger in their faith? I think not. Do I live in a manner demonstrating my faith? This certainly has some merit, I think, yet I should not live in a way that I am boasting about my faith, for that surely with not build them up, but rather the opposite. No, I do believe I must walk the talk, that is walk in a manner my faith in God allows me to walk. I must also talk the walk, that is, share through teaching, preaching and writing the exceptional qualities of God and his plan for his creation. This I believe God has called me to do in order to assist in building up my neighbor.