Romans 14:1-4 :: The Weaker Brother or Sister

Romans 14:1-4 (The Message and TNIV)

 1 Accept those whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat everything, but another person, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted that person. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master they stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. (TNIV)

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For years, I misread this passage of scripture.  I don't remember consciously being taught it wrong, but I do remember having a feeling that the weaker person was the one who was unable to restrict themselves.  This would include things like dipping, drinking, smoking and chewing (and girls who were doing any of those things).  The list of do's and don't's was clear and the stronger ones in the faith would able to stay on the right side of the ledger.

Then I read it correctly.  The weaker person in this text is not the person who is free to eat everything, but the person who limits themselves.  Paul gives no reason for the limitations, but it's clear that what he is focused on is not the limitation itself, but the response of Christ-followers to others.

We must accept Christians who limit themselves and not argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.  This can include things like what we eat, what we drink, where we worship, how we raise our kids, how we spend our money, etc.  Those who live in freedom cannot look down on those who limit or guard.  If we eat, we eat for God's glory.  If we abstain, we abstain for God's glory as well.

Can you think of any areas where it is easy to judge someone who does not live the way you live?  Maybe someone participates in an activity you don't approve of, or maybe you are the one who participates in the activity?  We must maintain the love within the body of Christ.  We are all God's and we are responsible to Him.  He will tell us what is right and wrong, and His power will help us do what we should.