"The Weaker..."
“The Weaker…”
Blessings Folk!
In light of varied outcome in the political decisions of yesterday I’m reading the same phrase from some folk…”the weaker” brother, “the weaker” person.
From the way that they are describing “the weaker,” it is evident that these folk do not know the Word. (“The weaker” is being pictured as one who participates in certain activities.)
Romans 14 gives us detailed instructions as to how we are to live. The Lord uses several examples to communicate some foundational truths.
We are free and at liberty to eat and drink.
We are free and at liberty to celebrate.
We are free and at liberty to not eat and drink.
We are free and at liberty to not celebrate.
For today, read the first few verses…
Romans 14
1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Note the instruction.
We are to accept the one who is weak in faith. Too often we misapply this. We think the one who is “weak in faith” is susceptible to certain “sins.” Not true. In this context we see that the “weak in faith” is actually the one that will not release the religious practices and opinions of man. Here it relates to freedom to eat meat or not to eat meat.
One has faith to eat all things - the stronger.
One has faith to eat only vegetables (less he accidentally eat something sacrificed to idols - 1 Cor. 8) - the weaker.
Be careful.
One is not superior to the other...we will see that later…
One is simply weaker in faith within a particular arena.
But, we have a tendency to react and judge.
The one who is strong and understands that he has freedom to eat all things will tend to regard with “contempt” the weaker.
This should not be done.
The one who who is weaker and does not eat all things will tend to judge the stronger.
This should not be done.
Curious is it not?
Those who are weaker are often viewed as the “holier”, “religious”, etc. because of their self-imposed limit on freedom and liberty.
A modern ascetic mindset that quickly morphs into a spirit of pride and religion.
This should not be.
Both the weak and the strong in the faith stand before the Lord.
Both are accepted.
Both are servants of the Lord.
Therefore, let us not judge in this manner.
Let us not look upon one another with contempt.
There is more…later…
1 Corinthians 8
9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
Blessings!
A quick reminder…
Short videos of our local Bible studies are available online. Check them out.
http://alabamaprecept.blip.tv/