Welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
We all know God wants us to serve him by serving the people around us. That’s the charge Paul gives us at the beginning of this chapter: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves” (v. 1). But many times our ministry is powered by duty, just wanting to get a job done. Or it’s powered by insecurity, wanting people to notice us and appreciate us. Or it’s powered by pride, wanting the world to know how gifted we are.
All those motivations lead us to minister in a self-serving way. We’re only willing to serve when it’s easy and convenient to serve. We’re only willing to bless people who don’t have too many flaws and aren’t too demanding.
But Paul’s reminding us in verse 5 that Christ welcomed us wholeheartedly, in spite of all our flaws. As he said in chapter 5, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!” Christ didn’t do what was easy. He went to the cross for sinful, difficult people like us. And his ministry transforms everything about our ministry.
Regular ministry is a grind: “What’s it going to take to fulfill my obligation?” Christ-powered ministry is a joy: “I can’t wait to do whatever it takes to bless you.” Regular ministry is about compromise: “I’ll meet you halfway.” Christ-powered ministry is about sacrifice: “I’ll give 100%.” Regular ministry is temporary: “If you fail to appreciate what I do for you, or if you fail to respond the way I think you should respond, then I quit.” Christ-powered ministry is permanent: “I’ll keep serving you as long as God allows.” That’s what we do, because that’s what Christ did for us!