Accomdate What?

REFERENCE: Romans 15:1-4 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 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.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. 

Observation: Interestingly, it is the strong Christians, too often, who expect everyone else to cater to their needs and preferences. Here Paul argues for just the opposite--the strong are supposed to be the ones who are first to accomodate others. How many church splits would have been avoided if supposedly mature Christians would have taken to heart the admonition not to live to please themselves. Those of us who have been in the Church for a while need to understand that what happens in church is not just for us--it is also, and very importantly, for those who are new or weak in their faith.

Especially in Charismatic/Pentecostal contexts the more spiritually advanced believers can push for, even require, an atmosphere that is intimidating and confusing to the new or weak Christian. Attempts at trying to change things in order to accomdate them can bring accusations of "unspirituality" against the leadership from those who prefer a more "spiritually charged" environment. Yet Paul makes it clear that this kind of consideration is nessesary.

Application/Confession: When I am conducting services in the church I pastor, I need to be willing to accomdate the new believer by making it clear what we are doing and why (among other things). Further, I need to be willing to remind the older believer to rejoice in this accomdation and not see it as compromise but as an attempt at inclusion that God honors. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, my deepest prayer is to see people come to know You. May You direct us so that we never do anything that would alienate the very people You have called us to love and draw near to You.