For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  (5) Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,  (6) that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (7) Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.  (8) Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,  (9) and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:  “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.” 

The letter to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul and the verses we study today concern God’s redemptive plan.  They express the desire of God that His covenant people, Israel, and the New Testament people – Jew or Gentile, past present and future  – be many people with one voice who worship one God.  The unity of the redeemed, filled with the Spirit, is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus. We are not Christians in isolation but in relationship with each other. We are to accept others because Christ accepted us when we didn’t deserve it.

There are important distinctions between Israel and the New Testament Church.  Membership in Israel was one of physical birth but membership in the church is due to one’s spiritual birth.  Israel as a nation was a physical, ethnic entity containing both believers and non believers.  The church is a spiritual entity containing only believers.  We become members of the church by believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Paul is showing how a life of service plays out in ministry to others; the faithful are not to conform to this evil age but to be transformed in mind and heart in Christ.  We are all equal in the eyes of God.  We function in the area of our own gifts to act faithfully and without pride.  We are all interdependent.  God faithfully keeps His promises on the basis of grace, not performance