Rejoice

 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15

In this verse Paul is speaking to the closeness that we as Christians should have with one another. We should sincerely feel what our brothers and sisters feel. We should share an emotional bond. Fellowship within the church is far deeper than simply belonging to a group or organization.

The church is far more than an organization, it is an organism. It is a living thing. It is a life giving thing. It is the body of Christ. When Paul says we should rejoice when members of the body rejoice and weep when they weep, he is speaking of a closeness like Jesus has to the body. When something is happening to the body of Christ He knows it. Paul understood this first hand, “And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Acts 22:7 ESV Jesus Himself was letting Paul know that He knew what was happening to His body.

Paul wants us to strive for that same kind of sensitivity toward our fellow members of the body. We as Christians are to empathize with other members of the body, put ourselves in their place and feel what they feel. We are to share in their joys and sorrows.

So today, come along side your brothers and sisters in Christ. Support them in what they are experiencing, whether it be joy or sorrow. If you do this for them, they will do the same for you. When we support each other in this way, the body of Christ is strengthened. Lets lift one another up.

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman