Nice work. I especially like your comment about the Holy Spirit being in charge of each person's sanctification. I think it goes even farther than that. I think we too-often make the mistake of "stepping in front" of the Spirit and trying to do work that is solely His to do - like informing our individual consciences, which you mention. We need to be led more by the Spirit, and cultivate that relationship as a central part of our Christian walk. We bear more fruit that way.
Wow, one of the best-written and unpacked essays on the stronger-weaker brother issue I have ever read, especially as it applies today. Thank you!
I especially appreciated this paragraph, and will take it to heart and put into practice:
"The stronger brother in Paul’s framework, is the one who is fully confident in the grace and love of Christ. He doesn’t doubt his status as a child of God and rests secure in the gospel. Because of that security, he enjoys his freedom in Christ without anxiety. He can hold his convictions with an open hand, not feeling any need to recruit everyone to his point of view, even though he’s personally convinced they’re wrong."
Another great article! I grew up in a church that has a great Pastor, but unfortunately (as I now better understand it) projected his personal convictions onto everyone else. Lots of “rules” and “good ‘ol church-folk.” Looking back, I’m not surprised that we never dug into this portion of Scripture. Again, thanks for the insight.
"Spiritually insecure believers can often develop quirky convictions as a way to justify themselves before God... They regard their scrupulosity about a wide range of issues as a sign of greater commitment to Christ, when it is actually a fig leaf to cover their deep seated fear that they aren’t doing enough to please God."
This was a great piece. Thank you for sharing, Michael!
As a homeschool dad, I cringed about the lady with the prayer request. It’s a real temptation for homeschoolers though. I think part of it is that you sacrifice so much to homeschool that it feels even more important to you (and the other part is that there really is a lot of craziness happening in schools. Believe me: my wife homeschools the kids, but I’m a public school teacher). We’ve had to learn not to judge others on their schooling choices. 🙃
Much needed, in matters of doctrine as well as practice. It should be in the interest of the Body to help our brother get to the point of eating steak and potatoes, not just bread soaked in milk; gently.
To the point about following your conscience in regards to homeschooling. If someone is in a church environment where public schooling is mostly the norm, do you think that the person raising the question and concern of this norm would be considered divisive? Or are you only referring to the people who say that homeschooling is the only biblical option?
I am in environments where it’s more likely that public schooling isn’t really publicly condemned. Maybe in private , but not in public. So, if I were to raise this issue in these environments, would I be considered a divisive Christian?
I wouldn’t consider you divisive in that situation. I’m thinking of those who think it’s the only faithful option. Some people think homeschooling is the only way and yet their kids are very poorly educated
Interesting. I think we have rather missed what the text does say to the Stronger Brother, however.
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Rom 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Perhaps we move in different circles, altho I, too, am a Reformed Baptist, but I see very little obedience to what Paul says to the stronger brother:
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Nice work. I especially like your comment about the Holy Spirit being in charge of each person's sanctification. I think it goes even farther than that. I think we too-often make the mistake of "stepping in front" of the Spirit and trying to do work that is solely His to do - like informing our individual consciences, which you mention. We need to be led more by the Spirit, and cultivate that relationship as a central part of our Christian walk. We bear more fruit that way.
Wow, one of the best-written and unpacked essays on the stronger-weaker brother issue I have ever read, especially as it applies today. Thank you!
I especially appreciated this paragraph, and will take it to heart and put into practice:
"The stronger brother in Paul’s framework, is the one who is fully confident in the grace and love of Christ. He doesn’t doubt his status as a child of God and rests secure in the gospel. Because of that security, he enjoys his freedom in Christ without anxiety. He can hold his convictions with an open hand, not feeling any need to recruit everyone to his point of view, even though he’s personally convinced they’re wrong."
Thank you brother!
I’ve pondered these verses…I really love how you break it down and apply to real life situations. So applicable!!
Really good stuff. I find myself referencing Romans 14 quite a bit these days. It isn’t just about food…
Thanks for writing this - really good.
Thank you!
Another great article! I grew up in a church that has a great Pastor, but unfortunately (as I now better understand it) projected his personal convictions onto everyone else. Lots of “rules” and “good ‘ol church-folk.” Looking back, I’m not surprised that we never dug into this portion of Scripture. Again, thanks for the insight.
"Spiritually insecure believers can often develop quirky convictions as a way to justify themselves before God... They regard their scrupulosity about a wide range of issues as a sign of greater commitment to Christ, when it is actually a fig leaf to cover their deep seated fear that they aren’t doing enough to please God."
This was a great piece. Thank you for sharing, Michael!
Thanks Dustin!
As a homeschool dad, I cringed about the lady with the prayer request. It’s a real temptation for homeschoolers though. I think part of it is that you sacrifice so much to homeschool that it feels even more important to you (and the other part is that there really is a lot of craziness happening in schools. Believe me: my wife homeschools the kids, but I’m a public school teacher). We’ve had to learn not to judge others on their schooling choices. 🙃
It’s great having good Christian men in public schools. Praise God for that!
A convicting essay - thank you
Much needed, in matters of doctrine as well as practice. It should be in the interest of the Body to help our brother get to the point of eating steak and potatoes, not just bread soaked in milk; gently.
To the point about following your conscience in regards to homeschooling. If someone is in a church environment where public schooling is mostly the norm, do you think that the person raising the question and concern of this norm would be considered divisive? Or are you only referring to the people who say that homeschooling is the only biblical option?
I am in environments where it’s more likely that public schooling isn’t really publicly condemned. Maybe in private , but not in public. So, if I were to raise this issue in these environments, would I be considered a divisive Christian?
I wouldn’t consider you divisive in that situation. I’m thinking of those who think it’s the only faithful option. Some people think homeschooling is the only way and yet their kids are very poorly educated
Interesting. I think we have rather missed what the text does say to the Stronger Brother, however.
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Rom 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Perhaps we move in different circles, altho I, too, am a Reformed Baptist, but I see very little obedience to what Paul says to the stronger brother:
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.