Romans 15: 1-2
1We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Paul wrote these words to the church in Rome to address again the issue of the Jewish Christians neglecting the Gentile new believers. He called on them to serve the Gentiles and presented Jesus Christ as the ultimate servant, taking the punishment for our sins upon himself. Paul then cited his own service to the Gentiles. He didn’t mention the 5 floggings, 3 beatings, 1 stoning, or the 3 shipwrecks he suffered in that service (2 Cor. 11). In no way did Jesus or Paul serve to please themselves.
Which brings us to today and its megachurches, consumerism, and celebrity pastors. We go to church to feed on the word but in some churches, you can get a Big Mac. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow him, to live lives pleasing to him. Instead, we shop around for the perfect church to serve and please us. Or we skip the church altogether and log on and listen to a sermon by a famous pastor who has no idea who we are. Something has gotten backwards.
In the first century, this happened to the church at the expense of the saved Gentiles. In the 21st century, this is happening, tragically, at the expense of the lost and dying souls all around us. The church exists to worship the Lord, teach the believers, and save the lost. Romans 15 is a strong call, as Martin Luther said, for us lowly beggars to tell other beggars where we found bread.
It’s not a call to look around for the best bakery.