Posted on 09/12/2016 6:10:48 AM PDT by Gamecock
Let us examine some of the guidelines Paul gives in Romans 14 for dealing with those who are weaker in faith.
The first rule of Christian love is that we receive others who are weaker in faith as brothers and sisters. Every Christian is a servant of Christ. Christ is his master and judge. I am not to judge those who are Christ’s.
A second principle of Christian liberty is that a person should not be forced to act according to another person’s conscience with respect to “matters indifferent.” This rule presupposes that Christians are at various levels of personal growth.
A third principle set forth in Romans 14 is that the stronger brother ought not to cause his weaker brother to stumble but should be considerate. He is not to flaunt his liberty in front of a weaker brother. He is not to coax his brother to indulge. A guideline is set down in verse 22: “Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God” (KJV).
Paul declares that the kingdom of God is not in eating or drinking. It is not a matter of indifferent externals. In these things we are to have love for each other, respecting the scruples of the individual as well as his or her liberties. Patience and forbearance are called for. In matters of externals, the internal fruit of the Holy Spirit must be made manifest.
Coram Deo
How does your response to weaker brothers and sisters line up with the three guidelines given in this reading?
Passages for Further Study
Romans 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
Romans 14:21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Ping
Thank you for this reminder!
Thank you for this reminder!
My wife has non-believers in her family who drink a lot. I believe part of their resistance to the gospel is their love of booze. They are typical Southerners who have heard many well-meaning Christians rail against alcohol. They have come to equate Christianity with a legalistic self-improvement project that would require them, through their own will power, to clean up their lives.
I do not believe drinking (as opposed to drunkenness) is sinful per se, but since they believe Christians aren’t supposed to drink, and they know we are Christians, is it sinful for me to have a glass of wine with them?
I think you make a very good point about churches that focus on cleaning people up as opposed to saving their souls.
I don’t know that non-believers count in this category, but I do think if we are with a revering alcoholic we should practice discretion.
revering=recovering.
Darn tiny screen on my smartphone.
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