Applause: Encouraging Others.
By Dr. David JeremiahRejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15
The Hebrew culture had a unique way of referring to “everything”: identify two opposite poles and let them represent everything in between (Psalm 139:8-12). There are traces of that figure of speech in Romans 12:15 where Paul writes about our need to identify with and encourage each other. The two opposite extremes are when someone weeps and when he rejoices. The implication is, “those two and all the times in between.”
If we are honest, we might say it is easier to “weep with those who weep” than to “rejoice with those who rejoice.” Another person’s pain or hardship evokes empathy and compassion in us. We ourselves have suffered and we know what the other person is going through. Rejoicing in another’s success is more challenging. Perhaps we have experienced no equal successes or joys and find ourselves envious, even jealous, of another’s good fortune. Paul doesn’t place one need above the other; they are equally our responsibility.
You will meet someone today who is at either end of the emotional spectrum or somewhere in between. Ask God for grace to identify with them—especially to applaud them in their success.
The church should be a community of encouragement.
Fred Catherwood
Comments (15)
Good information....
PS. Who is Paul! What is his lastname?.....
Paul is the apostle in the Bible. He wrote most of the New Testament of the Bible.
OK! Still everyone has a lastname. You do too!... Gentle Jim. Your lastname is Jim. Dr.David lastname is Jeremiah. My lastname is Pepper. So! What is Paul lastname?...
Rejoicing in another’s success
is a RARE state of the Man's soul nowadays,
but "always rejoice in the Lord"
is the best CHOICE as a spiritual state ,
GIVEN from the above...
"Ask God for GRACE to identify with them—
especially to applaud them in their success."
... icing on the cake!
:)
I am glad to meet you! Thank you for commenting!
Yes, I rejoice in the Lord every day!
Ps. Anywho! Good information...
Very happy to see you. Yes, I liked this statement about weeping and rejoicing!
In the time that Paul lived, they didn't use last names. You were identified by the area of the country you came from:
Example: Simon of Cyrene, Mary of Magdala, etc.
I hope this satifies you.
Because many of them had the same first name from that area. Which means! They all had the same town behind there names.
Maybe they went by the address/ number on there house, hut or tent.
I know that you know who is Paul the apostle in the Bible,
But I don't know if Gjimmie know.
You knew. You were yanking my chain.
You still haven't psid me, my $100.000
Paid Me!