When I have a strong desire, I want to bulldozer people into it. Paul shows another way-
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive …
Romans 15:1
Convinced of my cause, I confuse my will with Jesus’.
We must not just please ourselves.
If I push my will, I become self-righteous and if I succeed, I have taken God’s place in the one who succumbed.
We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.
Romans 15:2
Instead of forcing others to my view, I can enter their perspective, and help them discover Jesus and his way. The whole atmosphere changes.
For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”
Romans 15:3
At each stage of Jesus’ trial we find him serving his accusers by helping them towards God’s perspective rather than using his intellect and wisdom to save himself.
… the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement …
Romans 15:4
I shift from a hope in myself and my desire to a hope in Jesus. He who is both good and Sovereign, will intervene, with his salvation.