Observation: Paul just spent an entire chapter explaining the extreme importance of not allowing "small" matters of faith become overly "big" because they can lead to (1) devision, (2) judgment from God over my judgment of other believers, and (3) the abandonment of the faith through a gradual hardening of the heart and conscience toward God.
To conclude that passage (Chapter 14) and open another dialogue (Chapter 15) that drives home once again a constant theme in this letter, namely unity, Paul hinges both of discussions on Christ. He brings it back to the centrality of Jesus.
Jesus is clearly stronger of faith than me. He also, during His ministry and now, was patient and gentle with the conscience of others. Never did He push one away who was truly seeking God by forcing conformance with one of His preferences (certainly that shouldn't be confused with His frequent warnings to repent of sin!). And He bore with the weak of faith in order to bring about the unity of Romans 15 through the hope He had in God's plan and through the love that Jesus knows will see us all through differences. Faith must grow like a plant and Jesus was careful to not drown the faith of someone through overwatering or over-exposure to sunlight.
Application:
Follow Jesus in such patience, hope and love.
Place the tender faith of others above my pride and personal desires.
Seek the unity of believers.
Prayer: Lord, You are the perfect example of unity in the Trinity. I want to honor You and emulate You in this. Help me please to love and cherish the precious faint of others because that will in itself ultimately lead to the joy of my heart, which is to make You famous! I love You. Amen.
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