When you were young the only person you needed to be concerned about was yourself.  As you grew older your responsibilities increased.  I remember sitting in my Naval Leadership course in college and my instructor saying, “Next year you’re going to have a division of men that will be your responsibility.”  The demands of leadership have a way of getting your attention.

Admittedly it’s easy going through life simply taking care of yourself – but life is not like that.  If you have children you understand – your children will reflect what they learn from you.  Likewise, a church will reflect the behavior of its members.

What does the Apostle Paul expect from a mature church member?

And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.  (Romans 15:14)

Paul identifies three characteristics of a healthy church member in this verse.  First, he writes that they are full of goodness.  The word “goodness” conveys the idea of an inner goodness, an uprightness of heart and life resulting in goodness and kindness.  This is the same word used in describing the manifold nature of the fruit of the Spirit.  This is a goodness that describes the heart of a person who follows God.

Next, we see that they are filled with all knowledge.  The word “knowledge” is more than intellectual assent but it refers to an experiential knowledge that produces moral understanding resulting in right living.  This is the knowledge that God brings to His people through Jesus Christ,

To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, (Luke 1:77)

Finally, we see that Paul’s expectation for Church members is that they are able to admonish one another.  Although the word “admonish” appears only eight times in the Greek New Testament it is a word with deep spiritual overtones.  The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament  defines this word as follows, “It seeks to correct the mind, to put right what is wrong, to improve the spiritual attitude” (IV:1019).  Here are the other occurrences in addition to Romans 15:14,

Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.  (Acts 20:31)

I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.  (1 Corinthians 4:14)

We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.  (Colossians 1:28)

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  (Colossians 3:16)

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,  (1 Thessalonians 5:12)

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.  (2 Thessalonians 3:15)

We see in this passage that as God fills your heart and your head, that your hands will be equipped for service to Him.  How would you compare your life as a healthy church member as described by Paul in his letter to the Romans?  May you realize God has given you His goodness and knowledge as you minister to others.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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