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As we study the New Testament and particularly these
doubtful areas as dealt with in Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8, 9, and 10:23-33, we
find that Christians tend to fall into five different categories depending on
how they understand and respond to their liberty in Christ.
The
Weaker Brother
An
analysis of these passages reveals four weaknesses which define the weaker
brother.
He
is weak in faith (Rom. 14:1_2; cf. 22_23).
Faith
as used here means a firm, intelligent conviction based on Scripture that
something is okay or not okay. The Greek text has "the faith" which
may sometimes refer to the body of truth which is to be taken in faith, but due
to context (vss. 2, 14), the article should be taken as a personal pronoun,
"his faith."
He
is weak in knowledge (1 Cor 8:7; cf. Rom.
14:14).
This
is the reason for his lack of conviction, a lack of biblical understanding of
God’s grace. His faith is either misinformed or lacking in biblical content
which included three issues.
They did not realize the idol was nothing. They had not
seen the implications that "there is only one true God" (1 Cor.
8:4_5).
They did not know that food offered to "a
nothing" was not spiritually affected and that it could not be unclean in
itself (Rom. 14:14).
Finally, they do not understand that food cannot
commend us to God, that food in itself has no spiritual bearing on our spiritual
lives (1 Cor. 8:8).
He
is weak in conscience
This
means his conscience is based on human standards and norms and is overly
sensitive, condemning him for things Scripture does not (1 Cor. 8:7; 10, 12).
He
is weak in his will
He
is weak in his will because he can be influenced to do something contrary to his
conscience, or to act without becoming fully convinced by Scripture that
something is either right or wrong. In this case, the weaker person acts on the
example of the stronger believer without biblical conviction and faith. This
violates his conscience, and so causes him to sin against the Lord (1 Cor.
8:10).
The weaker brother is any believer who, because of the
weakness of his faith, conscience, knowledge, and will, can be influenced to sin
against his conscience by the example or life style of a stronger brother. The
weaker brother is not just a new or immature believer; he is not a Christian who
happens to differ with you or me on some issue, but he or she is one who can be
influenced to act contrary to their conscience or personal convictions (14:23; 1
Cor. 8:9_12).
The
Stronger Brother
Conversely
the stronger brother of Romans 15:1 is the one who is strong in his faith
(conviction) (Rom. 14:22); knowledge of grace and what is truly right or wrong
(1 Cor. 8:7, 10; Rom. 14:14), in his conscience (Rom. 14:22), and will (1 Cor.
10:10; Rom. 11:14). So the stronger brother is the believer who is certain of
his biblical convictions, understands his freedom in Christ, and exercises his
liberty without doubting and without being improperly influenced by differing
opinions or behavior.
The
Pharisee Believer
Warnings
of Scripture regarding being judgmental of others such as Matthew 7:1-3
undoubtedly had in mind the Pharisees. The Pharisee mentality is a problem among
all people, and God’s people are not exempt because we still have old patterns
that need to be dealt with along with a sinful nature that wars against the
Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
Not understanding God’s righteousness in Christ, this
type of believer works to gain God’s righteousness or to be accepted with God
(Rom. 14:1-10). The tendency is for such believers to look down on those who do
not do and believe as they do in regard to debatable issues. This was one of the
problems for the church at Galatia (Ga. 5:1_15). Romans 16:17 warns about those
who cause dissensions, and a critical spirit is associated with such
people.
Those involved in the fan clubs mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:3 were critical of
others in an effort to promote their favorite teacher. In fact, Paul warns of
this in 1 Corinthians 4:3 ( also 2 Cor. 10:7-12; 4:6).
This
believer is characterized by a number of things.
He
lacks in biblical understanding of the believer’s freedom in Christ and his
deliverance from the works of the law, or from human works as a means of
salvation or spirituality. So he is a legalist. Legalism is not simply the
conviction certain things are wrong, nor the avoidance of certain things.
Rather it is an observance or an avoidance done in
order to merit favor with God.
He has very strong convictions about his list of
taboos, but his convictions are based primarily on his own background and
prejudices rather than the teaching of Scripture.
He is often strong willed. He is able to resist
pressure from others to conform to their standards. He tends not to be
influenced by the example of others and often takes religious pride in his
taboos, for to him they are a sign of his super-spirituality.
Above all he tends to be hyper-critical and judgmental
and seeks to get others to conform to his opinions. Those who will not conform
he rejects and refuses to accept.
He is usually not too hungry for the in depth study of
Scripture. He tends to be superficial and an externalist.
The
Stumbling Block Believer
This
believer (cf. Rom. 14:13; 1 Cor. 8:9_13) may have all the characteristics of the
stronger brother, only he uses his liberty without regard to biblical guidelines
for the use of liberty, i.e., the biblical principles which govern behavior in
the questionable things. The majority of 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans l4 and 15
are aimed at this type of believer, or at keeping the stronger believer from
misusing his or her liberty. This is a believer who is weak on LOVE and concern
for the One Another responsibilities laid out in the New Testament.
The Servant_Type Believer
This believer (cf. Rom. 15:1; Gal. 5) too has all the
characteristics of the stronger believer, but he is not in bondage to his
emancipation. He forgoes his liberty, out of love, for the sake of others,
whenever it might harm another believer, hurt his testimony with unbelievers, or
in essence break any one of the cardinal principles necessary for exercising our
liberty, and for guiding us as to when we should or should not do certain
things. The servant-type is strong on love and follows the model of His Savior.
He pursues the things which make for peace and the edification of one another.
Rather than becoming a stumbling block, he seeks to be a stepping stone.
Guiding Principles Under Grace for Deciding Right
and Wrong
Freedom in Christ never means freedom to do as we
please, but the power to do as we ought in accordance with the character of
Christ as His life is reproduced in the believer by a Spirit-filled, Word-filled
life.
1. The Principle of Love
Though convinced that I have liberty to do something,
nevertheless, out of love for the weaker brother, I will limit my freedom when
necessary to avoid being a stumbling block (Rom. 14:15; 1 Cor. 8:1-13). If my
actions may cause a believer to stumble by influencing him or her to follow my
example, the question is, "Do I really have liberty to follow my own
conviction regarding the doubtful thing?"
The answer is an emphatic no!—not if I am walking by
love. Listen to the warning of the following passage: Romans 14:15_21 For if
because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to
love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do
not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of
God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and
approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and
the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake
of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and
gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything
by which your brother stumbles.
2. The Principles of Profitability and Edification
While all things that are not specifically forbidden by
Scripture, particularly the New Testament, are lawful to me as a believer, the
question I must ask is, "Is it profitable to my spiritual life, to God’s
goals for me, to my health, to my testimony to the lost and my life as an
example to other believers?" The Apostle wrote, "All things are lawful
for me, but not all things are profitable" (1 Cor. 6:12). Again in 1
Corinthians 10:23, Paul wrote, "All things are lawful, but not all things
are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify." (See 1 Cor. 10:23-32.)
3. The Principle of Enslavement, of Who and What is in
Control
The answer to this question becomes a determining
factor as to whether we really should or should not do the thing in question.
Paul succinctly stated it this way, "All things are lawful for me, but I
will not be mastered (brought under the control of) by anything" (1 Cor.
6:12b). Believers are to walk under the control of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18;
Gal. 5:16). By means of the Spirit, they are to have control over all aspects of
their lives rather than be under the control of what we might call life
dominating patterns. The body is a wonderful slave and God’s instrument of
service, but it is a poor master. The questions we must ask is, "Will it
enslave me? Is it something that is known to be habit forming or addictive so
that it could enslave me?" This does not automatically exclude something
and anything can become a habit that controls me, but this principle does pose a
warning.
4. The Principle of the Temple
The New Testament teaches us that the body is the
temple, the very dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and should be cared for
accordingly (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
The body is an instrument used by the Spirit of God, a
vehicle of service by which we can glorify God. A weak body becomes a weak
instrument, so we need to care for it, protect it. This means proper rest, diet,
exercise, and the elimination of those habits which are unhealthy and harmful.
5. The Principle
of Exaltation
Here we must ask the question, "Will it glorify or
exalt the Lord and His glory?" In a context dealing with doubtful issues,
we are told to act on this principle, "Whether, then, you eat or drink or
whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
6.
The Principle of Constraint, of Living as an Example in Supreme
Self_Sacrifice
2 Corinthians 5:14_15 For the love of Christ controls
us (compels, constrains), having concluded this, that one died for all,
therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, that they who live should no longer
live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
This principle applies to all Christians, but it is
especially vital for Christian leaders such as pastors, teachers, elders,
deacons, etc. One of the characteristics so necessary for a leader is that of
self_sacrifice, of giving up our rights for the benefit of others and for the
glory of God.
Why? Because their lives are so determinative and
influential on others. Christ, our supreme model, said, "For even the Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom
for many" (Mark 10:45). This means the need for sacrifice whenever and
wherever, or one forfeits the right of leadership (cf. 1 Cor. 9:1_23; 2 Thess.
3:7, 9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Heb. 13:7; Tit. 2:7).
Summary
(1) Liberty is constrained by our love of Christ. If
you do not love Christ
forget all the rest of the principles and do what you
want.
(2) Liberty should not cause another person to stumble,
be made weak, or turn
from Christ. This is a major point. It is the only one
that says that a person sins against Christ.
(3) Liberty should be edifying. Does your liberty build
up the body of Christ?
(4) Liberty should not be enslaving. Can someone be
enslaved by their liberty?
(5) Liberty should glorify Jesus. Does your liberty
bring glory to Jesus?
(6) Liberty should help you toward your goal God has
set.
(7) Liberty should be worthy of the gospel. Does your
liberty hinder the gospel of Christ?
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