Dealing with Those Who Are Weaker (Protestant/Evangelical Devotional)

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?

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.

I went to the site of the devotional and I read the post. There are some points that need to be addressed in regard to Romans 14 as a devotional scripture.

I have no problem with folks who read devotionals. I can only hope that the daily passage is dealt with more completely, ie. read entire chapter and book, once particular devotional passages are read. Not being thorough is where some problems arise.

Many devotionals, like this one, are designed to try and evoke application responses. Application is good if you also consider the historical context of the scriptures in question. I would like to make a couple of observations pertinent to this topic.

1). Paul is writing to a specific group at a specific
time. So how might that differ from what is happening
today?
2). Paul is addressing a problem that is causing disunity
by specific actions of individuals within that group.
What is happening/going on?
3). Paul provides the proper application answer to the
problem that is occurring. What is a correct response
by the offenders? Who are the offenders?

Some quick answers:
1). Roman Christians 2000 years ago.
2). Stronger and weaker in their faith.(Could add more)
Eating food that had been offered to idols (more?)
3). The offenders appear to be those stronger in faith
that don’t believe their is any problem in eating
this food or drinking the wine.(Pagan idols aren’t
real gods)
The offenders are doing this without regard to how it
affects the other, weaker group. (May have just came
out of a religious idolatry affiliation)

Now to address some application issues for today. As far as food and eating goes; there are vegan types that push their not eating certain foods down others throats.(About the exact opposite from before.) What idols get worshiped today? Money? One world order and religious equanimity? See the vegan example above.

One verse not addressed in the devotional is particularly interesting. From the KJV, Romans 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. Now this phrase “with offense” is saying their is an intentional act of trying to offend others. Other translations read “giving offense” and that makes good sense in context.

But in today’s world what if there was no offense intended? Take an example of having a glass of wine while one is out dining? When all of a sudden the people you are dining with become offended at the thought of drinking? It could be said that they are “Taking Offense” where none was given. How would one correctly apply the devotional message to that situation? Or an example of new believers that are smokers? On and on it can go.

One needs to be very careful when they are trying to be obedient to what the scriptures say. A short devotional may not be the best way to address issues of “where the rubber meets the road.” No reading in context becomes very important. A better method of study is; particular verse to paragraph, paragraph to chapter, chapter to book, book to testament, testament to the entire Bible. The historical evidence should be included too.

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