· Romans 15:7 – Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Receive – To admit one into fellowship.
Weak defined –strengthless without power to distinguish sufficiently between right and wrong, good/ evil or spiritual and unspiritual. Bear in mind, some people who suffer from certain mental illnesses can be extremely weak in rightly interprepting scriptures. On the other hand some people who are not considered mentally ill also wrestle with an understanding of scriptures.
Faith implied in these scriptures – That one is right in what they believe
Overcoming Scruples amongst Believers
Scruples represent disagreements among believers that cause discomfort
Fellowship with each other despite personal scruples
· (Fellowship with each other in spite of personal differences or opinions). Him that is weak in the faith concerning your doctrinal viewpoint of certain scriptures-receive-without arguing over differences of biblical viewpoints that are non-essential to salvation. We must have a good understanding of the plan of salvation which can be shared with others, but if your viewpoint invites arguments and strife, leave such a one at the altar of prayer, only God can bring the increase of understanding. (Hebrews -Follow peace with all men, without which, no man shall see the Lord).
Do not despise or judge one another
· Romans 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not, and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth for God hath received him. Him that eateth – represents him that is standing upon his doctrinal viewpoint of scriptures and what he believes to be truth, yet he is not to despise such a one that does not agree with his viewpoint. Let him not judge him that eateth – Do not form an opinion on such a one just because he or she does not agree with your teaching(s). For God hath received him –We are one body in Christ whether we agree with one another or not!
No man will fall who conscientiously follows God and the light of the gospel
that he has received
· Romans 14:4 – Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up for God is able to make him stand. He shall be holden up – If he chooses to obey the gospel plan of salvation. We should respect the viewpoint of other believers whether we agree or not and focus on the fact that both parties must remain true/obedient to the gospel plan of salvation and non-essential scruples will soon pass away with time! The weightier matter is that both believers accept God’s plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and practice consistent holy living despite another(s) personal opinion.
Let all live in peace for the Lord and for each other.
· Romans 14:8-9 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. We are the Lord’s – Not I am – WE ARE the Lord’s. Whether you agree with me or not – your opinion of me can not separate me from the Love of Christ. My opinion of you can not separate you from the love of Christ – WE ARE the Lord’s!
Each person shall give account of himself before the Lord – and each persons interpreptation of scriptures is God’s business – not your personal project or mission statement!
· Romans – But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Set at nought – Reduce to nothing, tear down with your vicious words.
Do not cause anyone to stumble because of your walk, talk or deeds
· Romans 14:13 – Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brothers way. Define stumblingblock – Do not do or say anything that will cause another child of God to stumble in his or her walk with Christ. Stumblingblocks – When we walk or talk or do things contrary to the Word of God, our walk, talk or actions become a stumbling block for another weak Christian to trip or fall.
We must learn to tolerate weak Christians
Romans 15:1 – We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. The strong and enlightened ones must tolerate and bear with the weaker and less enlightened brethren until they too become strong
Sharon Therese Spencer
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