Power to Choose:
Mutual Edification – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  Romans 15:1-7

Key Verse:  Romans 14:19

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Along with yesterday’s study, we need to add the concept of accountability.  To keep God’s power working strong in our lives, we often need someone walking with us that will hold us accountable for our decisions.  Someone once said, “People don’t do what we expect, they do what we inspect!

When the Apostle Paul speaks of bearing with the failings of the weak and building them up (Romans 15:1), he undoubtedly was seeing this need for accountability.  If we walk alone, allowing no one to get close enough to inspect our lives, our decisions tend to turn very selfish.  Immediate gratification starts to replace mutual edification!  We will tend to serve our own interests and worry little about others.  This not only hurts others, it hurts us.  Everybody does better when they know someone else will be seeing the decisions we are making!  We really do need each other.

The church should operate in a way to remove any fears that come by being open and accountable.  Romans 15:7 reminds us: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you…” to be open to accountability there must be a strong sense of acceptance and love in the relationship.  Christ’s church demands just that:  Love and acceptance of one another because of the mercies of God.

Father, you accepted me.  I will accept others even if I don’t always understand them.  Grant me your heart and your eyes for people.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.