What are you building?
Text: Romans 15:1-7
Last week, we discussed liberty and in our text today we are reminded that this idea is biblical in its very origin. Also, liberty does not mean that you can do what you want but rather you can do what you must to better others for the time present and generations to come, Rom. 15:1, 2. When we exercise our liberty, the whole body is strengthened. This task is one that must be accomplished together, not alone, Ex. 18:22, Numbers 11, I Cor. 10:13. God gives this task to the church as a whole and if we want to see this world turned around, we must work together.
Our example is Christ Himself, Rom. 15:3, 4. In John 13 we see Christ wash the disciple’s feet. At first it does not look like a big deal but in that day, it was a servant’s job because it was so filthy. Christ washed their feet and told them to do likewise. True leadership is servitude. I Pet. 2:21-24 reminds us that we are called to suffer with Christ. This is something that not many of us like to talk about and maybe rightfully so; however, we must not forget it. The example of Christ’s suffering shows us what liberty really is, “Father, forgive them…” Christ did not serve Himself; rather He served all of mankind and every generation.
Lastly, Christ is also our empowerment, Rom. 15:5-7. Again, this is evident and clear in our country’s founding documents. When it comes to serving others, aka liberty, Christ gave us an example and he empowers us to follow, Rom. 8:37, Phil. 4:13, II Pet. 1:3. We can do it. Where ever the Lord leads, we can follow. What ever the Lord asks, we can accomplish. Let us use our liberty for the Lord and for others.