Romans 12:15: Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice, Weep With Those Who Weep.

Romans 12:15
[15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (ESV)

The true believer in Jesus Christ knows what it means to offer sympathy to others. When we think of sympathy it is easy to think of a sympathy card. When someone is going through a difficult time it is a common practice to send a "Hallmark" card to make someone feel that they are not alone and that someone cares for their situation.

Our modern understanding of sympathy might be severely lacking. In some ways we want to feel as if we are being sympathetic towards someone, but we do not really want to get tangled up with their problems. It is very easy to send a card. It is quite another matter to have genuine feelings of sorrow for those who are in distress and to truly rejoice with those who are celebrating.

Paul demonstrates for us the standard of genuine sympathy for the believer. We weep when others weep. We rejoice when others rejoice. When was the last time that someone's tears brought you to a place of physical weeping? Have you grown so close with your brother or sister in Christ that you would be affected to this degree by their sorrow?

It might seem like an easier task to rejoice when others rejoice. Yet, even in that we may be lacking. Let's put it this way. How many people truly rejoice at others successes? Or do we clap for their successes while inwardly criticizing the way they achieved their success? Do we struggle with our own jealousy while we ought to simply be celebrating another.

Real sympathy is a Christian ideal. It is not as easy to offer as we might think. Ask the Lord to show you the ways you need His help in being genuine in rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

James 2:18: I Will Show You My Faith By My Works

James 2:18 [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV) There are certain things in life that go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Double stuff Oreo cookies and milk. Faith and works. James raises the point that someone might argue that faith and works can be separated. "One will say, "You have faith and I have works." Is it ok for works to be separated from faith? James is making the argument that faith and works are not to be separated. James is saying to the one who has faith only, with no works, that he wants them to see his faith by his works. In other words, if you are going to claim to have faith, but have no works, you have no evidence of faith. If I am to believe that a person has genuine faith I can only see that by their works. Faith brings action. There are so many people to claim to have some kind of faith, yet when it comes down to it, their

Every Day Devotion

Search This Blog