Live in harmony with
one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never
be wise in your own sight. Romans 12:16 ESV
Paul advises the church to
live in harmony and then proceeds to give three examples of how to do
this. Let's look at all three individually.
Do not be haughty, don't be
arrogant is what he's getting at. Arrogance has no place in the body
of Christ. If our Lord and master is a humble servant, that is what
we are to be as well. No room for arrogance there is there? Besides
that does anyone really enjoy being around an arrogant person? No,
arrogance causes dis-chord which is opposite of harmony. So, let's
not be haughty.
He follows up with associate
with the the lowly. Jesus did that. We should too. Jesus associated
with every kind of person like prostitutes, tax collectors and even
arrogant religious leaders (pharisees). After all none of us is as
high and mighty as Christ. He is the great equalizer. We are equal
under Him and we should treat each other as such.
Last he
says do not be wise in your own sight.
False wisdom certainly is not beneficial to the body. I say false,
because when we base what we do on our own knowledge and exclude
God's wisdom we are in dangerous territory. Everything we do within
the body must be based on biblical truths, not our own wisdom or
opinions. To think of ones self as being wise, is to be arrogant and
self elevating.
All this being said, if we
follow Paul's teaching on living in harmony we all will be
blessed by it. The body will be much more harmonious.
© 2012 Leo J. Woodman.
