Result of the Renewed Mind in Corporate Life

Bible Passage: Romans 15:5-6 (Roman 14:1-15:13)

1. The issues in Romans churches (few):

(a) Weak & strong people (14:1; 15:1)
(b) Quarrel over food (non-kosher & kosher) (14:2-4)
(c) Quarrel over special days (14:5-6)
(d) The “so called” strong ones caused the “so called” weak ones to stumble (14:13)
(e) They treated each other with contempt (14:10)—show by one’s attitude or manner of treatment that an entity has no merit or worth, disdain
(f) One’s freedom was almost destroying another one’s faith (14:15)
(g) God’s work among the Roman believers were being destroyed by conflict over superficial matters (14:20)
(h) Some of them were self-pleasers (15:1)

2. Basis of Paul’s teaching

(a) God has accepted them [Jews and non-Jews] (14:3)
(b) All are God’s servants [a new identity] (14:4)—domestic slave
(c) All live for God (14:7) If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord
(d) All will stand before God for judgment (14:10)
(e) The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (14:17)
(f) Christ has become the intermediary (15:8) someone who stands between

3. Paul’s proposed solution to these issues

(a) Look at the mind of Christ (15:5) [Paul prays that He would grant them such the mind of Jesus]
(a1) Christ did not please Himself (15:3)
(a2) Took upon Himself the blame of others (15:3)

4. The result of taking the mind of Christ

(a) Bringing glory to God corporately [in a community that was ridden with conflict] (15:6)
(b) Accepting one another as they are (15:7) which is the corporate unity
(c) That will result in the fulfilment of Abrahamic promise (15:9-12)
(c1) Gentiles bringing glory to God
(c2) Joy, peace, and hope by the working of the Holy Spirit

Take Away

Contribute voluntarily for the peace and mutual edification of your church members (cf. 14:9)