16th November 2023

16th November 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Romans 15v1-3)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


We have spent several weeks working our way through Romans 14 and the subject of Christian liberty. In Rome there were "strong" believers who understood that all food was clean and all days were the same. On the other side of the debate there were "weak" Christians who had yet to understand their freedom in Christ. These men and women still believed that Old Testament dietary laws were still in place and restricted their eating accordingly.


In response Paul urged maturity on all sides. The strong were to ensure that they did nothing to cause their brother to stumble and in the same way the weak were not to become dictators. Even so, as a new chapter begins, the Apostle addresses the strong specifically even counting himself as a member of that particular group.


The strong were not to please themselves but were instead to bear with the failings of the weak (v1). It is clear from this verse that Paul isn't commending the "weakness" of the weak. He describes their weakness as a failing and there is no doubt that the weak Christian must seek growth and maturity. Nevertheless, the strong, from their position of strength, should strive to bear or put up with the failings of the weaker brother.


In the case of the Roman church the strong understood that all days were the same and all food was clean. Regardless, they were not to seek their own happiness in these issues but were to seek the good of his neighbour (v2). To many this seems like becoming a doormat for the sake of those who should know better, yet this isn't how Paul sees the situation. The reason given for the humble attitude of the strong Christian is to build up the weaker brother (v2).


Paul doesn't imagine the weaker brother remaining weak but instead growing up in the faith and growing into their Christian liberty. In such a scenario the stronger Christian should happily put aside his liberty for a time in order to seek the growth and sanctification of a weaker brother.


If we are still unconvinced the Apostle takes us to Psalm 69v9 and applies this verse directly to Christ saying "For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'" (v3). Jesus was sinless and yet put aside His rights and privileges for the sake of His weaker brothers. In our weakness we were utterly unable to do any spiritual good or anything that merited salvation. Jesus stepped from Glory into a life of humiliation for our sake.


If we struggle with the weaker brother or sister we are not to meet that struggle with arrogance but humility. For a time it is necessary to bear with the failings of our fellow Christian in order to see them grow to a place of strength and grow they must, for no Christian should be content with a weak and shallow faith following man-made rules in the areas of doctrine and worship.


As Paul elsewhere says "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2v3-4)


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q98 What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.