Imago Romans - 15:1-6 - Harmony

Romans 15:1-6 - Please Others, Not Yourselves

​We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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I absolutely love the line that Paul shares here, “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a tremendous blessing but also a challenge for us. There’s been a lot in the last few chapters about division and a call to unity that Paul lays out. This is no different. The word harmony is the one that stands out to me in this blessing and this picture captures a sense of harmony that we have in Christ. I love the ways that the different colors - like the differences between people - blend together in this picture. They don’t completely disappear but blend into one another. And what ties it all together is the water pouring forth. For us as people of faith, our unity starts at the baptismal font - with the water that marks us as God’s own.