“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight” (Rom. 12:15-16). There is great pleasure in rejoicing with Christian brothers and sisters. It should make us happy when they are going through good times. I imagine we share in the joy of a newborn in our church family. Seeing the smiles of a new mother or father is a special treat, and watching them fawn over their baby can only bring a smile to our faces. We also share in the joy of many other life events of those we love. Witnessing some of the greatest moments in someone’s life is a privilege and an honor. We should cherish these occasions.
Take, for instance, the graduation of a matriculant or college/university student. Who has not sat dying of boredom in a large hall waiting for the name of the student we know to be called? As they step on the stage, for at least a minute or two, we forget the hour we sat waiting for that moment. We whistle, call out their name, or simply clap, and if they see us amongst the crowds of people, the smile we receive is priceless. There is also the joy of marriage, passing a driver’s test at the DMV, and many other special occasions we can share in the joy of someone we know and love. But there is no moment of greater shared joy than their baptism. What a moment of rejoicing that is.
Of course, as much as we share in the good times, we are also called to weep with those who weep. Being there to silently hug someone who has lost a loved one is such a solemn moment. There are throngs of people who will be there to share in someone’s joy, but few have the innate ability to console them in their moment of grief. In some ways, that is proof of authentic Christian brotherhood and sisterhood. We may not have the words to comfort them, and often, it is better not to say anything at all. Our presence and a loving hug speak louder than any words could anyway. Paul then says we should “live in harmony with one another.” It is a call to live peaceably with fellow Christians and to be unified in thoughts and deeds.
We ought to foster a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and understanding and not allow the devil to undermine our happiness. Far too often, the church spirals into a state of disharmony when a brother or sister takes something too personally or cannot forgive the actions of another. There can be no worse example for a new believer who attends church for the first time and is drawn into the middle of some senseless dispute. There is also nothing more encouraging than attending a church where the members enjoy each other’s company and live in perfect harmony. That does not mean there will never be strife, but it does mean that we are strong enough in the Lord to overcome the challenges or temporary disagreements.
Next, Paul warns us not to be haughty. It is derived from the Greek word “hypēphanous” and describes someone who is arrogant and prideful. They have an overinflated opinion of themselves and consider themselves “above” other, more lowly, unworthy souls. Those are the people who attend church but have a self-righteous, pious attitude and consider themselves more worthy of God’s love and attention than anyone else. They seek prominence and display the same misguided attitude of the mother of the sons of Zebedee in Mat. 20:20-23: “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
Instead of being self-serving and haughty, we should display the opposite characteristic, the virtue of humility. Then, we would not seek out only the prominent and influential people to share our time with but even the lowly brother. Often, the latter will appreciate us more and pass valuable life lessons on to us. Always remember that God more often chose the lowly and warned against the rich. Jam. 2:5-7, “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?”
Jesus specifically sought those society rejected, and He never shied away from associating with them, even when He was verbally questioned or attacked for it. Associate with those who are humble and appreciate you, not with those who look down on you or use you. Lastly, we are told not to be wise in our own eyes. In some way, it is a summary of what not to be like in the context of the previous words of Paul. Instead of relying entirely on our own wisdom and understanding, we should realize that true wisdom and understanding come from God alone. People who are wise in their own eyes are arrogant and prideful. People who are not are wise and humble and know their standing before God. Be Christlike, not Devillike, in your attitude, words, and actions. Don’t be wise in your own eyes. No one likes a “know-it-all.”
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