A Study of The Book of Romans
Lesson 92 Chapter 12:9 – 21
“Our relationship to society.” - Part 3 Verses 15 – 16
By Pastor Randy Johnson
- Verse 15 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
- This goes all the way back to verses 4 -5 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5.) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
a. One of the greatest things in a church is unity, and unity begins with feeling what the other members feel.
b. However this is also involved with other Christians in general, unity does not end with the church however the church should have the greatest unity.
- “Rejoice with them that do rejoice…” that is with them that rejoice in good. Evil is never to be a joy nor celebrated.
a. Coveting must be under control because we cannot all rejoice together if any member covets another. But when coveting is not present rejoicing can be a wonderful thing. Luke 1:58 “And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.”
b. 1 Corinthians 12:26 “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”
- “…and weep with them that weep.” – this is just the same as rejoicing, how can we be one if we are not together in good times and in bad. Hebrews 13:3 “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” – that is as though you are in their body suffering as they are.
- Verse 16 “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
- “Be of the same mind one toward another…”
a. This would certainly include; in Christ, in faith, in doctrine, and in love, however I believe it goes a little deeper than that, I believe it also includes wanting for other as you would want for yourself.
b. A church that wants for each other the same as themselves has a richer unity.
c. Acts 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”
d. Philippians 3:16 “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
- “…Mind not high things…” High things means – highly esteemed – in other word do not reach to high in anything.
a. As Christians we need to understand our limits, if we reach to high we will sin, covet, and want more than God will have us to have.
b. We need to remember God chose the weak and the poor, all Christians fit into one or both of those categories. I am not saying not to reach high but understand Gods limits and do not attempt to surpass His limits by sinning.
c. Psalms 131:1 - 2 “LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. (2.) Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.”
d. Luke 22:24 - 27 “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. (25.) And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. (26.) But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. (27.) For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”
- “…condescend to men of low estate…”
a. The word “condescend” means - to take off together – it also means – “to carry together, to help in carrying” or “help in carrying” it reminds me of the word burden in Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Bring yourself to their low estate to help them.
b. What a concept; who would want to do that. Philippians 2:5 - 7 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6.) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7.) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
- “…Be not wise in your own conceits.” – Be not wise in your own mind.
a. Job 1:21 “And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” You are what the Lord has made you, never get the big head, God can take away what He has given.
b. Remember the good olive tree and the ingrafting, remember why the Israelites were removed, remember the Lord warned the Gentiles the same could happen to them? Be proud of your own accomplishments and God may very well take them.
c. We are what God has made us and none of us deserve to have a big head or to think of ourselves as better than others. Isaiah 5:21 “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”
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