February 12
“Receive one who is weak in the faith,” Romans 14:1.
Who is the person who is “weak in the faith” to whom the text above refers? The person is “in the faith,” so he is a child of God whom God gladly wants to bless. However, the person thinks that in order to be received and blessed by God there are certain things he must avoid and certain things he must do. In this instance, the person is thinking of things that God has neither commanded nor forbidden.
For example, in the early Christian congregation in Rome, there were Christians who felt that they had to be vegetarians – that is, that it was wrong to eat any kind of meat – and that it was wrong to drink any kind of alcoholic beverage (for example, wine).
Yes, in the Old Testament times, God had given His people some restrictions with reference to what kinds of meat they could eat. The basic rule was that they could eat the meat of any animal that chewed a cud and had a cloven or split hoof. That eliminated the eating of pork. A pig has a split hoof, but it does not chew a cud. To this day, there are Jewish people who will not eat pork.
However, the Old Testament laws that were specifically for the Israelites do not apply for people in the New Testament church. In his Epistle to the Colossians, the apostle Paul writes, “Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ,” Colossians 2:16-17. (We are not speaking of the Moral Law, which applies always, to all people.)
People who are weak in the faith often govern themselves in religious matters with man-made rules and regulations. They call things “sin” which God has neither commanded nor forbidden. They end up with a man-made religion. Let’s not make more sins than there are; we have too many already!
The words of the text above tell us that we must deal very patiently and not be condemnatory with such people. “Receive one who is weak in the faith.” Lovingly and patiently we should deal with people who have a different religious view of things than we do. We should not be harsh with people because they have not been enlightened by the clear Word of God. In love and with patience we should open to them the clear meaning of God’s will as revealed in Holy Scripture.
In the Epistle to the Galatians, the apostle Paul expresses it so clearly for all: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,” Galatians 6:1-2. Always remember the forgiveness we enjoy through faith in Christ, who suffered, died, and rose again to redeem us.
Also, remember that you can be 100% correct in WHAT you say, but 100% wrong in the WAY you say it. It can all be in the tone of the voice! Consider this today as you come into contact with others.
We pray:
“Oh, let me never speak
What bounds of truth exceedeth;
Grant that no idle word
From out my mouth proceedeth.
And then, when in my place,
I must and ought to speak,
My words grant pow’r and grace,
Lest I offend the weak.” Amen.