ROMANS 15:8-13 STRONG AND WEAK When people are first saved there is not a lot that they understand about the doctrine of salvation. The strong will not convince them by driving them into accepting the truth. It calls for real consideration on the part of both strong and weak. The strong can help a weak brother or sister by guiding them in the Word of God and prayer. The weak should face their need and accept the accountability that will help them to grow into the person God wants them to be.
We can let our pride keep us from giving or accepting help from others. The cost of self-denial has to be paid by both the strong and weak so that our life in Christ will be what He intends. The Lord Jesus was a minister of the Jews in His life of prayer indicating His awareness of His dependence on the Father as He persevered in the holiness of His life to please the Father and do His will. As He ministered, He accepted people for who they were. He gave value and dignity to the worth of every person and they came to trust Him. That is the template of living we are to use.
The Lord Jesus Christ came to minister to His own people the Jews, but they would not receive Him. We who are Gentiles are in the number of "as many as received Him," who are made "children of God by faith in Jesus Christ." He was willing to accept us in spite of our weakness and alienation from Him. Now the strong are to accept the weak by the grace that has been shown to us.
The Gentiles now have the Almighty God ministering for us in our weakness and need. Gentiles have been brought under His divine mercy and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ without the connection with the Jews. Now all of us apart from background or personal strength can trust that the treasures of God's grace will be unfolding before us forever. God gives us the blessing of joy; He fills us with peace; He gave us the Holy Spirit who empowers us to claim these blessings in Christ. He imparts the ability to believe on Him who He sent. The facts that God reveals about us enables us to live the Christian life with real trust. As believers hope is a normal state for everyone who, is a believer. God is the God of hope. He fills us with joy and peace when we genuinely believe in Him. Believing in the heart involves a true surrender of the will.
In conscious awareness of what it would mean - The Lord came here to earth. His own people would not receive Him - Though He deliberately came to them first. So now His grace extends afar - To any who on Him will believe. The weak and the strong whoever they are - With open arms and heart God receives.
The God of hope fill with joy and peace Everyone who comes to Him. It is not in vain the riches of His grace - Gives joy that in them remains. The Holy Spirit is the One with power - To fill hearts of the strong and weak. Jews and Gentiles meld into one - When the mind and will of God we seek.
"Father of Jews and Gentiles who personally come to Thee in faith: I praise Thee for this wonderful benediction to the marvelous truths of the Gospel. The unfolding and explanations of the Gospel of Thy grace in the book of Romans is certainly made clear and powerful by the work of the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful that I have found joy and peace in believing through the blessing of the God of hope. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."