Steven A. Bush - September 13, 2026
Loving and Caring For One Another
Romans 15:1-2 says: "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (ESV) Harkening back to Jesus, and throughout the NT, we find numerous admonitions regarding loving our neighbors and caring for one another. Even strangers are included in the mix. To paraphrase what one pastor-author wrote, "We treat others the way we perceive God treating us." It should also be noted that commands and admonitions should never be construed as mere suggestions. Our adoptions into the Family of God came at the expense of Jesus' shed blood on the cross. Therefore to realize our Adopting Father might have expectations as to how His children should behave toward one another should come as no surprise, instead His expectations should be humbly embraced. Our Father, claiming us as His own, makes us brothers & sisters in Christ. Loving and caring for one another gives evidence of WHO we belong to. And what a immense privilege that truly is!
Scripture References: Romans 15:1-17, Ephesians 4:1-16, Philippians 2:1-14, Colossians 3:12-1214, 1 Peter 3:8-9