Romans 15:2 Devotional · Bible Encouragement

Romans 15:2 Devotional

Title: The Ministry of Edification — Building Up One Another

Text: Romans 15:2 (KJV)“Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”

Introduction:

If you want to measure the maturity of a Christian, don’t look at how much Bible he knows, how often he prays, or how loudly he sings in church. Look at this: does he build others up—or tear them down? Paul is calling us to a higher way, a selfless way—the way of edification.

Let’s look at this verse like a spiritual blueprint and discover what it means to live in a way that builds others.

The Mandate for Every Christian: "Let every one of us..."

Paul doesn’t say some of us. He doesn’t say the deacons, the Sunday school teachers, or the spiritually elite. He says: “every one of us.”

Galatians 6:10 — “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Philippians 2:4 — “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Illustration: Imagine a brick wall. Every brick depends on the one beside it. One crumbling brick can cause a crack in the whole wall. And friend, the church is God’s living temple—every believer is a brick. We are built together, not just piled together.

If you belong to Jesus, you belong to a body, and every part of that body has a job to do.

The Method: "Please his neighbour..."

Now don’t misunderstand. Paul isn’t saying we become people-pleasers in a worldly way. No sir. He’s talking about Christlike servanthood—putting others’ spiritual good above your own selfish wants.

1 Corinthians 10:24 — “Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.”(That’s not money wealth—that’s spiritual well-being.)

Romans 12:10 — “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

Jesus showed us how.

John 13:14–15 — “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Illustration: A great preacher once said, “We’re never more like Jesus than when we’re serving others.” A little boy once said, “When I help my friend, I feel taller on the inside.” That’s it. Edification stretches your soul.

The Mission: "For his good to edification."

The word edification means to build a house. We are to build people up in their faith—not flatter them, not enable sin, but strengthen their walk with God.

Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying...”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 — “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

When someone spends time with you, do they leave stronger in the Lord? Or more discouraged? Do your words build walls or throw stones?

Illustration: A young builder once asked an old master mason what made his walls so strong. The mason said, “I never laid a stone without care. I placed each one as if it were holding the whole building together.” That’s how we should treat each person God puts in our lives.

The Model is JESUS

Just a verse later, Paul says:

Romans 15:3 — “For even Christ pleased not himself…”

If anyone had a right to demand service, it was Jesus. But instead, He took a towel and served. He bore our reproach. He gave us His Spirit—to edify, not to condemn.

Philippians 2:5–7 — “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who... took upon him the form of a servant.”

Be a Builder, Not a Bulldozer

Friend, this world has enough critics and cynics. The Church needs builders. Are you encouraging or discouraging? Are you carrying burdens or casting blame?

Hebrews 10:24 — “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”

Let your life be a scaffolding for someone else's faith. Lift them. Love them. Strengthen them. That’s the gospel in action.

Let's pray

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us enough to build us up when we were broken. Help us today to reflect You—to live not for ourselves, but to edify one another. Use our words, our hands, and our hearts to strengthen Your people. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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