Daily Devotions
Romans
"Receive one who is weak in the faith..."
Text: Romans 14:1
THE WEAK AND THE STRONG IN THE SECULAR WORLD
In any society there will always be some who are weak, and others who would be strong. In a secular world, the danger is always with the weak. The strong will not always be supportive of the weak. Very often the weak are bullied or preyed upon. The survival of the strongest puts the weak at great risk.
THE WEAK AND STRONG IN THE CHURCH
But what about the Church? If all believers shared a common faith, a wonderful belief system, a great God, would all be strong and robust? Objective faith is strong and glorious. It has withstood the test of time. It has survived all assaults! It has wonderfully triumphed!
However subjective faith is another matter. Much depends on the individual’s absorption and application of faith. Those who are able to apply their faith in God effectively would find themselves strong and resilient. However, there would be some who would not be able to develop their faith as effectively. They would always be on the fringe of the weak!
CARE FOR THE WEAK
Unlike the world of nature, where only the strongest and the fittest will survive, Christians are challenged to practise a different set of values.
“Receive one who is weak in the faith,
but not to disputes over doubtful things.”
Romans 14:1
1. “Weak in the faith’
That there would be some who are weak in the faith must be accepted! Just as there is acceptance of those who are strong, there must be acceptance that there would be those who are weak!
2. “Receive”
The weak are to be received in the church. They must not be marginalized. They too are a part of the Body of Christ.
3. “Not to disputes over doubtful things”
There are certain topics that have not received a direct command from God. These are classified as “doubtful thing”. The strong are urged to be gracious and kind to the weak over these matters!