VII.
Is this the path for the Disciples of Jesus?

“We … are … not to please ourselves.”

VIII.
Romans 15:1-13 (NRSVue)

We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself, but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the ancestors and that the gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will confess you among the gentiles
        and sing praises to your name”;

and again he says,
    “Rejoice, O gentiles, with his people”;

and again,
“Praise the Lord, all you gentiles,
        and let all the peoples praise him”;

and again Isaiah says,
    “The root of Jesse shall come,
        the one who rises to rule the gentiles;
    in him the gentiles shall hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

IX.
Is it natural to start from the place of seeking to “not please ourselves”? Or, is it the natural thing to always seek to “please ourselves”?

Wait, even if we grant it is natural to try to please ourselves, is that the way of nature “always”?

We do have to grant that Paul does write, “We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”

And then he offers the goal of this behavior –
“Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.”

How important is it to build up the neighbor? To build up the community of Disciples of Jesus?

What might be your path to building up the communities in which you participate?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}