Viewpoints on ROMANS 15

By Michael Griego on January 10, 2025 • ( 0 )

There remains a common misunderstanding about Christianity that impacts Christians and those who are critical of Christians. Let’s use Chapter 15 of ROMANS to highlight the point. ◊

As mentioned in the previous post, there’s that common cultural question that brings Jesus and therefore wise and good behavior to the forefront.

The question is simply: “What would Jesus do?”

The implication is that Jesus would, of course, do the right thing. So we, therefore, should think this through and then we too will do the right thing.

But it begs a bigger question.

Is This What Christianity is All About?
Is Christianity all about doing the right thing? Is it only about behavior? That we all should be like Jesus and do good and right things?

I don’t think so.

I’m afraid that there may be a common misunderstanding about Christianity that impacts Christians and those who are critical of Christians. I will narrow it down to 3 big things many people think are what Christianity is all about.

Do Good Works (do right things)
Spread the Word (proselytize others)
Support the Church (give money)

Are these wrong? No. But I believe they allow some Christians, and many non-Christians, the opportunity to focus on elements of Christianity that miss the mark.

And on things that were not the focus of Jesus.

So What is Christianity All About?
In the BOOK of ROMANS Chapter 15, the Apostle Paul does speak about having good behavior, preaching the Gospel, and supporting the ministry of the Church:

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up….live in such harmony with one another… (Romans 15:2,5)
He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God…I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel… (Romans 15:16,18)
…pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people….that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received… (Romans 15:26,32)

And these are all good things that Paul did, and for which he should be commended. But even Paul would admit that, as important as these are, they are not the crux of what Christianity is all about.

So what are Christians supposed to do?

Remember that Jesus said the following when tested by one of the Pharisees:

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35-40)

Later, Jesus also said directly to His disciples:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Therefore, here are the 3 big things that are the essence of Christianity and should be the focus of all Christians:

Love the Lord God (with all your heart, soul, and mind)
Love Your Neighbor (as yourself)
Make Disciples (of all the nations)

If one does this, then what flows out of a life is what Paul highlights in ROMANS Chapter 15:

…so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:6)
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
…be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles….proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:16)
leading the Gentiles to obey God…by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. (Romans 15:18-19)

How Does One Really Do That?
The Christian life is a very personal journey. No two lives are the same. How we intersect with God in a lifetime is our own personal story. I will address the question here as to how does one really do the big 3 things as a Christian by sharing a story of my own life around one book, My Utmost For His Highest, a daily devotional book written by Oswald Chambers and published by his wife in 1935.

I was given this book as a Christmas gift by my older sister when I was 29 years old. I read it daily from January 1 through January 17. At that time I put it down and considered it way over my head, beyond what I could understand and appreciate.

I picked up that same book off my bookshelf when I was 53 years old. My appreciation for it grew greatly. I read it sporadically over the next few years, then again set it down.

Then I picked up that same book, and for the past 10 years I’ve used it every day as part of a daily devotional time. What I once did not understand I now do understand. You’ll find me quoting Chambers often in these posts.

As we’re only one week into the New Year, read the January 1 devotion in My Utmost For His Highest to understand how does one really do the 3 big things.¹

It’s never too late to grow deeply as a Christian.

Do you misunderstand Christianity?
_______________________________
The God of peace be with you all. – Romans 15:33

¹Let Us Keep to the Point, in My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers, Dodd, Mead & Company, NY, p.1. https://utmost.org/classic/let-us-keep-to-the-point-classic/