In Romans 15, Paul highlights the vital theme of harmony within the body of Christ. Harmony is not merely about agreement or avoiding conflict; it is about living in a way that reflects Christ’s sacrificial love for others. Just like in a marriage, where harmony is achieved by sacrificially serving our spouse, the Christian life calls for a similar mindset. Paul reminds us that harmony is built by living to serve and edify others, not to please ourselves. This principle of selflessness mirrors the love of Christ, who gave Himself for us.
Living for others, rather than for our own desires, brings unity and glorifies God. As we follow Christ’s example, we become a picture of His love to the world, displaying the selfless love He demonstrated in His sacrifice for us. Paul’s words urge us to live this out together, fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and mutual care within the church.
1. For the Sake of Harmony, Live to Please Your Neighbor, Not Yourself
In the first few verses of Romans 15, Paul emphasizes the need to live in harmony by placing others above ourselves. He calls us to “please our neighbor” rather than focusing on our own desires. This concept is not new, but Paul drives it deeper here — living to please others for the sake of harmony requires humility and a willingness to lay down our personal rights and preferences.
While this might raise the question of whether there are limits to pleasing others, Paul makes it clear that we should never compromise the Gospel or biblical truth in our efforts to live harmoniously. As Paul states in Galatians 1:10, “Am I now seeking the favor of men or of God?” Pleasing others must never come at the expense of truth. However, when it comes to personal preferences and non-essential issues, Paul challenges us to set aside our pride for the spiritual benefit of others.
Paul’s message attacks our personal pride. Our desire to assert our own opinions or preferences can prevent us from building up others. Whether it is abstaining from something like alcohol around someone who struggles with addiction or holding back a strong political opinion to maintain a gospel-centered conversation, we are called to humble ourselves for the sake of others. This principle is particularly important when interacting with people from different backgrounds or cultures. Paul’s challenge to consider others first means we should respect different perspectives and traditions, even when we do not agree with them. When we allow our pride or disdain for cultural differences to cloud our interactions, we miss opportunities to share the gospel.
Living to please others, for the sake of Christ, is ultimately a reflection of Christ’s own life. Jesus did not live for Himself; He lived sacrificially for the spiritual benefit of others, even when it was difficult. As Paul notes in Romans 15:3, Christ Himself is our ultimate example, bearing the reproaches of others for the sake of our salvation. Following in His footsteps means laying aside our pride and preferences for the greater good of the gospel and the spiritual growth of others.
The call to live in harmony with others by placing their needs and spiritual well-being above our own is not easy, but it is essential for a unified, healthy church body. Paul reminds us that living to please ourselves only leads to division, but when we live to please our neighbor for the sake of Christ, we foster unity and reflect the heart of the gospel.
2. Scripture is Given for Our Hope and Harmony
In the middle of Paul’s teaching on living in harmony, he takes a moment to quote Psalm 69. Paul reminds us that “whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). This brief “rabbit trail” serves as a powerful reminder of the foundational role that Scripture plays — not just in our spiritual development but also in fostering harmony and hope among believers.
Scripture is far more than a historical text or a collection of teachings. It is God-breathed, inspired by Him, and is profitable for “teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible provides us with everything we need to live a godly life, equipping us for every good work — including the work of living in harmony with others.
Paul’s passion for the Scriptures is clear: they are essential to our faith and walk with God. They instruct us in how to live, correct us when we stray, and offer hope when we feel lost or discouraged. This is particularly important in our relationships with others. Scripture teaches us how to live selflessly, how to sacrifice for others, and how to place their needs above our own. It corrects us when our pride or selfishness gets in the way of living harmoniously with others.
But beyond instruction and correction, the Scriptures offer us hope. This hope is not just a vague wish for a better future — it is a “strong assurance in the sovereignty of God,” as Paul reminds us. No matter the difficulties or uncertainties we face, the Bible points us back to Christ and the eternal hope we have in Him. It reminds us that our hope is not in earthly things but in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul’s reminder about the role of Scripture is central to his message about harmony. The more we are rooted in God’s Word, the more we will be equipped to live in harmony with others. The Bible continually points us to Jesus, who lived a life of self-sacrifice, and in following His example, we are able to lay down our rights for the benefit of others.
Ultimately, Scripture gives us hope because it reveals the heart of God and His plan for redemption. Whether we are seeking encouragement, instruction, or correction, God’s Word provides what we need. Through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we find the strength to live in harmony, to love others well, and to keep our eyes on the eternal hope we have in Christ.
3. Seek Harmony Through Unity and Acceptance
In Romans 15:5-7, Paul shifts our attention to how harmony is achieved — through unity and acceptance. His goal is not that we all think or act the same, but that we pursue Christ together, unified in our love for Him and our desire to glorify God. Unity in Christ does not mean we will agree on everything. In fact, there will be things we need to learn to bear with in others for the sake of harmony. This might include accepting an immature habit in a younger believer or dealing with differences that naturally arise in a community of imperfect people. Regardless of the challenges, Paul stresses that harmony is worth the effort.
A key hindrance to unity is a tendency to nitpick. Being overly critical and focusing on small details, often driven by personal pride or control, can divide a congregation. Nitpicking pulls us away from focusing on the greater things — like the gospel — and instead magnifies lesser, insignificant issues. As believers, we should avoid getting caught up in minor annoyances and instead pursue a greater cause: living in harmony with one another for the glory of God.
Paul sets Jesus as our ultimate example. Though Jesus had every right to be harsh and judgmental as the only perfect person to ever live, He showed patience, grace, and mercy to those around Him. He accepted people where they were, lovingly guiding them toward truth. We, too, are called to let mercy abound and grace guide our interactions with others. When there is a time to speak or address something, we must let Jesus be our model and allow His example to influence how we approach others.
Ultimately, the purpose of seeking unity and acceptance is so that, “with one mind and one voice,” we can glorify God together (Romans 15:6). Our collective worship should reflect a unity rooted in love for one another and for God. When we are unified, our worship becomes a powerful testimony to God’s glory and goodness.
My prayer is that Coggin Church would be a place where gospel unity shines brightly. Where a supernatural sense of peace and unity transcends personal preferences or minor disagreements. Whether it’s in how we handle projects, like a building renovation, or how we interact with one another, we must always remember that the gospel is the greatest thing. The gospel binds us together in a harmony that surpasses all earthly things, and it is this harmony that glorifies God.
