Last Sunday we explored the command to bear with one another. As was shared during the message, there are three passages in the New Testament that speak to this responsibility: Ephesians 4:1-6; Colossians 3:12-17; Romans 15:1-6. The text for Sunday’s message was Romans 15:1-6. Below you’ll find a synopsis of that passage, as well as the biblical teaching from the other two passages. Then you’ll find your challenge: A Game Plan for Bearing with One Another.
TWO MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS
- Someone in your circle contributes to a high-maintenance relationship that you’re trying to navigate. In other words, there is someone in your life who gets on your nerves.
- As part of someone else’s circle, you contribute to a high-maintenance relationship in that person’s life. In other words, you get on someone else’s nerves.
BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER
“bearing with one another” (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13): showing tolerance with patience and longsuffering
“bear” (Rom. 15:1) = to endure; members of the same community were expected to support one another
To bear with one another means that we put up with the differences that exists between us and others in the family of God in a way that honors God and blesses the one whom we bear.
Romans 15:1-6
- God has provided the prerogative to bear with one another (v. 1)
- God has prescribed the possibility to bear with one another (vs. 2-5)
* Bearing with one another is possible when we build up (v. 2)
* Bearing with one another is possible when we look up (v. 3)
* Bearing with one another is possible when we grow up (v. 4)
* Bearing with one another is possible when we partner up (v. 5) - God has proclaimed the purpose of bearing with one another (v. 6) | The ultimate goal, the reason why we are to bear with one another, is so we can bring glory to God.
Ephesians 4:1-6
- Remember that our calling is to Christ, so we are bound to follow his example
- Deal with your pride, understanding that you’re not always right and others aren’t always wrong. When we’re humble, we’ll put up with people because we know that we’re not always that easy to be around.
- Be gentle with fellow members of God’s family who behave differently than we do, recognizing God graciously and gently deals with us.
- When we’re patient with others, we can see that they’re in the process of becoming who God has created them to be, just as we are. God isn’t finished with them or us, so let’s be patient with each other as he does his work.
- Continually go back to the command to love one another because we are part of one body and one Spirit. To not bear with one another impacts the body of Christ in a negative way. Therefore, choose to love one another.
Colossians 3:12-17
- Paul uses similar language as in Ephesians regarding your calling, humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
- Paul includes the command to forgive. Bearing with one another is possible when you ponder the forgiveness you’ve received from God. You then extend forgiveness to those whom you must bear.
- Paul adds the role of God’s Word dwelling in you richly. Bearing with one another will not take place until the Word has its rightful place in your life.
- Paul mentions the role of worship in bearing with one another (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs). One of the best ways to bear with one another is to worship together. When you worship with one another, your focus isn’t on what so-and-so does that gets on your nerves, but on who God is and what he’s done in your life.
- Paul calls us to remember that everything we do, which includes bearing with one another, is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. It’s impossible to disobey the command to bear with one another and give glory to God. The only way God receives glory is if you choose to bear with one another.
A Game Plan for Bearing with One Another
- Make a list of people with whom you need to bear (aka, people who bug you). Once your list is made, pray for those people by name. Ask God to help you see them from HIS perspective.
- Ask God to change YOU. As hard as we might try, we can very seldom change someone else. The problem is not “people,” but more personal: US. Ask God to change your heart to more closely resemble his.
- Let go of grudges and forgive faults. Release your grip on a grudge or it will strangle you. The longer you hold on to it, the more it gets hold of you. Is there someone in your life that you haven’t forgiven? It’s time to let go of that grudge.
- Restore a broken relationship. What is one positive step you can take this week to mend a fractured relationship? Do you need to make a call? Send a text? Make a visit?
- Perform an act of service. Sometimes our feelings follow actions. If you wait for the “feeling” to serve, you may be waiting for a long time. Find something to do this week that would minister to one of the people (or all the people) on your list!
The View From My Pew 