Love For My Brother’s Soul (Romans 12-15)

I. Introduction: In the previous lessons from the book of Romans, we studied the argumentation part of the book. In that section, Paul declared the righteousness of God who sent Jesus to die on the cross redeem us from sin. As a result, we who are guilty are treated as if we were innocent because Jesus who was innocent was treated as guilty. Since we have been justified by God, we should transform our lives so that Christ lives in us. Starting with Romans 12 Paul describes how we can do that. A part of our transformation is great love for our brethren’s souls.

II. Being brethren is not easy. We come from diverse backgrounds—educational, financial, social, and spiritual. However, God, in His wisdom, designed the church to unite us into one body. In the first-century, the churches often had Jews and Gentiles, slaves and slave owners, civilized Roman citizens and less refined barbarians. Yet all were one in Christ. So also, it is today, we are all one in Christ Jesus. Some brethren who preached in India told of churches where members of different castes worshiped and worked together as Christians. If they were not Christians, they would not have much to do with one another. Our differences sometimes cause conflicts but we must continue to work with one another for peace. We accomplish this through genuine love for our brother’s soul.

III. Genuine Love for my Brother

IV. In order to have peace and accomplish much in God’s service we must have proper love towards one another. Paul told the Romans to “Let love be without hypocrisy,” Romans 12:9. We must have a genuine love towards one another. It is not sufficient to say that we love one another; we must show genuine love. How do we show it?

V. We show genuine love by affection. Fundamentally, we must have a warm, congenial spirit with our brethren. We should sincerely enjoy the time that we get to see them both in the assembly and outside of the assembly. We might think this is a given but not all people show this affection. It is not only rude to give our brethren the cold shoulder; it is against the spirit of Christ. Our affection towards our brother is a demonstration of the love that Christ has for our brother.

VI. John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

VII. 1 Peter 1:22: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,”

VIII. 1 Peter 3:8: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

IX. Romans 16:16: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

X. Some people in churches do not have this family love. They are congenial, but it is apparent that they are not involved with other brethren. We must get out of our comfort zones and get to know all of our brethren. Choose a family or person that you do not know well, decide that you will make a point to talk with them, and get to know them.

XI. We show genuine love through our deeds. It is easy to give a warm greeting at the church building and to talk among ourselves while we are here. However, the best way to show true love is through deeds done outside of the assembly. Remember, we must not love in word and in tongue but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). What kinds of deeds show genuine love?

XII. We show genuine love through hospitality, 12:13. We show our love to others by sharing time with them. When we gather for a meal, a pleasant dessert, or coffee, we learn more about our brethren. Our conversation goes beyond the pleasantries exchanged at the church building and we begin to learn more about one another. Hebrews 13:1-2 tells us to “be given to hospitality” because some have entertained angels unknowingly. Though I do not think we will entertain heavenly beings, as did Abraham, we may develop a friendship through hospitality that will strengthen us as we strive to go to heaven. We may come closer to a brother or sister who will show God’s love for us in a time of grief or sorrow, who will encourage us when we are weak, and help us to be stronger and more efficient servants of God. In this way the person to whom we show hospitality to may become an “angel” (literally, messenger of God) in a figurative sense to us. However, it is not likely that we will develop those relationships within this building.

XIII. Hospitality takes time and effort. We must clean the house and prepare the food, but the results are well worth it. You do not have to make a grand meal, simple fare is sometimes the best. We are not gathering to impress one another but to grow closer to one another. Hospitality should never degenerate into “one-upmanship” but should always be offered and accepted with an attitude of sharing fellowship and strengthening relationships. Let all be done for edification.

XIV. We show genuine love by financial help, 12:13. The saints of the first century took care of each other’s needs. We see examples in Acts 2 of those who sold what they had to distribute to their poor brethren, some even sold land to help their brethren. In Romans 15, Paul talks about the money that he was taking from churches in Macedonia and Achaia to help the Christians in Judea who were suffering in a famine. Some who were suffering financially themselves gave the money. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5: “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” We must be ready to share with our brethren who are in need. Giving and receiving demonstrates the mutual dependence Christians should have on one another. Some in Thessalonica abused this and began to take advantage of the generosity of brethren. Paul rebuked them, and told them “if a man doesn’t work, neither should he eat,” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. However, situations do come up where we need to give generously to help one another. After all, things will perish; brethren are for an eternity.

XV. The early Christians realized that their brethren were more important than their possessions, Acts 4:32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” Paul told the Ephesians that part of our reason for working was to have resources to help others. Ephesians 4:28 “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” If we have the ability, we should be willing to share with our brethren who are in need otherwise our faith is dead, James 2:14-17. We must not shut up our hearts to our brethren by holding back money, time, material things, or anything necessary for the survival of our brethren.

XVI. We show genuine love through involvement, 12:15. When we are truly involved with one another, we will be able to weep and rejoice with one another. I do not think the idea is that we are standing on a sideline and when we hear of good news about a brother we cheer and when we hear bad news, we shake our head and feel a touch of sadness. I believe what is pictured here is an intimate sharing of the good and bad with one another. The rejoicing and weeping are not products of intellectual sympathy but inward feelings of joy or grief with our suffering brethren. This is hard for us. We live in a society where individuals erect walls around their hearts for fear of being hurt or used. We should remove these barriers with our brethren, realizing that we may (and probably will be) hurt or used. Yet the true unity of hearts in Christ, knit together in genuine love as a true family of God, will eclipse any pain that we would suffer. We cannot have true brotherly love if we alienate ourselves from our brethren.

XVII. We take a risk when we open ourselves up to one another but the rewards are great. I have been hurt by some brethren. I can think of people that I had close friendships with that are now strained due to their unrighteousness. However, I have many more friends that I could call on any time day or night who would come to my aid because they are friends and brethren. We have much in common: a desire to see the Lord’s work grow, a love for God’s word, a common salvation. We have a great basis for strong friendships. So many lonely people in this world do not seem to fit in anywhere. They desire friendships that can strengthen them but they can’t seem to find them. That should never be true of the Lord’s people. God has accepted us; we must accept one another.

XVIII. We can show genuine love in many more ways but in whatever way we show it, we must love our neighbor as ourselves (13:8-10). This principle will take us a lifetime to truly learn and apply.

XIX. Working with my Brother

XX. Not only must I have genuine love for my brother in Christ, I must work with him in the service of the Lord. We are knit together into one body to serve God, 12:4-8. We each have different talents and abilities. During the first century, when the New Testament was being revealed, the Holy Spirit gave individuals spiritual gifts to reveal and establish the word. According to 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, since we now have the word those gifts have been taken away. However, there are still different duties and responsibilities performed in the service of God. Each person has different abilities and yet all are necessary for the growth of the body. Remember Paul’s lesson to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 12:14-26:

XXI. “For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

XXII. We must not be jealous or speak evil of one who has abilities that we do not have but encourage him in his work. We must use what abilities we have in God’s service and not do anything because we cannot do everything. We must work together if we want to accomplish more than we could individually.

XXIII. The church is truly a remarkable organization. We are only effective when each person uses his strengths for the growth of the whole body. Some seem content to just come to services and put in their time. However, to truly grow each of us must be working on personal growth so that the body will become stronger. Imagine a church where all of the members have strong prayer lives, are studying the word of God diligently, are actively teaching non-Christians about Christ’s way, and gathering to worship God with a fervent heart and enthusiastic involvement. We can have that but it starts with you. I can only control my study, prayer, and worship. You must control yours. Each must seek first the kingdom of God in his life and in doing so will strengthen the work of the group.

XXIV. We are priests of God. In the Old Testament some priests cleaned the temple, some moved the furniture, some sang praises, some wrote songs, some offered prayers, some offered sacrifices, some prepared food, some taught the people, and some copied the law on scrolls. There were many more jobs in God’s service, but no one had the job to just show up. Each person worked and did something. Each person must ask, “Am I doing all that I can in service to God? Are there other talents that I can develop to help the church grow? Am I letting others do the work that I could do?” Only you can give an honest answer to those questions.

XXV. We must work together humbly. Three times in this chapter, Paul emphasizes our need to keep ourselves in proper perspective:

XXVI. 12:3: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

XXVII. 12:16: “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

XXVIII. 12:18: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

XXIX. We cannot work as we ought, nor be at peace with one another, if we are thinking too highly of our own opinions and ourselves. Self-centeredness is a source of strife within a church. James wrote (James 4:1-6): “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?’ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’.”

XXX. It is sad when a church divides over some doctrinal matter when some will not heed the word of God. However, it is a tragedy when a church divides because some of the brethren cannot get along. We must have a humble view of ourselves, esteem others better than ourselves, have a humble view of our own opinion so we may have peace and work effectively. Sometimes it is the preachers or other strong Bible students that become the source of strife and division! NO ONE is to have a higher view of himself or his opinion than he ought to have.

XXXI. This humble attitude must be especially manifested when we have disagreements over religious matters. Romans 14 addresses the attitude of meekness and humility between brethren over religious differences. Read Romans 14:1-13.

XXXII. Here are two brethren that have a difference about eating meat and the observance of days. The brother who is stronger in the faith should accept his brother’s weakness regarding days and meats and do nothing to lead the weaker brother into sin. Although the stronger brother may know for sure that he can eat meats and that there are no special days to observe, he must be patient with the weak brother.

XXXIII. We are going to disagree about certain things and we must make sure that we do not become Lord’s over our brother’s faith. We must be meek and humble with one another, after all, we may think that we are the strong brother when in truth, we may be the weak brother. We must be careful in our judgments of one another. Ultimately, we must all give an account of ourselves before God. We all stand alone at the judgment seat of Christ. We are accountable for our own actions and thoughts and our conscience.

XXXIV. Although Paul stated in the later part of Romans 14 that he knows—and he is inspired—that there is nothing of itself unclean, there may be some who still do not feel right about eating the questionable food. Paul says that we must not destroy another’s faith because of our liberty. We may feel so sure about our freedom to eat what was formerly considered unclean, but if we must be careful with those who do not have this faith. It is better not to eat meat again than to eat and make my brother stumble. Even though it is not wrong of itself, if the weak brother eats, he would sin for he would violate his conscience. Instead of striving over these matters, we must seek for peace and build up one another in the faith. Though we may differ, we can encourage one another to serve Christ. His conclusion then is, Romans 15:1-2: “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” The NIV says, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”

XXXV. We must study Romans 14 thoughtfully and understand the circumstances where we must show patience with our brother with whom we differ. If a brother is committing an obvious sin, such as the adulterous brother in 1 Corinthians 5 who had his father’s wife, he must be admonished and, if he does not repent, must be withdrawn from in the hope that his soul would be saved. There are things in which we can make precise judgments from the word of God and we must have the courage to take action when we have to. However, there are some things in which we may differ that are not so obvious and so we must be patient and understanding with one another. We must not become complacent, we should always be growing in the knowledge of God; but remember, “knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”

XXXVI. Conclusion As I sad before, being brethren is not easy. We come from diverse backgrounds, we are at different spiritual growth levels, and we have convictions about different things. However God has united us—with all of our differences—into one body, under one head—Christ—to accomplish His work. To do this work effectively we must truly be united with one another, not just in word but in deed and in truth. We must leave our comfortable little worlds and embrace our brethren and be truly knit together with them. We must then work together as God’s people for the great work that He has given His church to do. When we differ with one another, we must be patient and understanding, not wise in our own opinion, and seek to build up one another. If we will do this, we will truly become a family of God, and cause Satan great difficulty in trying to break us apart.

XXXVII.

XXXVIII. If you are not a Christian, you must first be put into the body of Christ. Galatians 3:27 says that as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. When we are baptized, we are added to His church, Acts 2:47. If you want to be part of His body, and part of the church here, repent of your sins and come be baptized into Christ.