Obligated - Daily Devotional February 12th, 2009

Bible Reading - Genesis 45, Mark 15, Job 11, Romans 15

Obligated

Obligated = to bind or oblige morally or legally

Not to many of us like to here the word obligated especially when it is in a sentence such as "you are obligated to..." However in Romans 15:1-2 that sentence appears as it 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".

From time to time as a pastor I have been guilty of making statements like, "I am so done with that person" or "I give up on them, they are so weak". Not only should those statements never come from me, I am also totally convicted today as I read through Romans. It is not just a noble or good thing for us to help someone that is weaker than us, we are actually obligated to do so. It is our purpose in life as Christ followers and the stronger vessel to bring strength to those who are weaker.

As we read on in Romans into verse 3 and so on we see that Christ, the one we are following actually modeled this for us as He was the stronger vessel and us the weaker. It is Him who welcomed us and strengthened us. Jesus encourages us to do this same thing for others. Romans 15:7 says, "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God". We are obligated by the love and grace of God to welcome the weaker person and to help make them become strong by encouraging them in the Lord. This is not for our benefit but it is for the benefit of the kingdom of God and the weaker vessel.

Today as you read through this devotional I pray that you feel not only compelled but obligated to go and strengthen someone today and know that by doing so you are building His kingdom.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Genesis 46, Mark 16, Job 12, Romans 16

Dream Big
Ben