The Strong Should bear the Infirmatives of The Weak

WE THEN THAT ARE STRONG OUGHT TO BEAR

THE INFIRMATIVES OF THE WEAK

December 28, 2010

Our title is a direct quote from where Paul challenged the Romans with: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”  Romans 15:1

This document is about Christian growth.  It includes both the new born breast feeders, and the strong meat eaters. 

You know, there are those who consider themselves to be meat eaters that are still on the breast.  The Hebrew writer with that in mind encouraged those whom the Lord had saved earlier (perhaps months or even years before) with: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of lying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”  Hebrews 6:1-2

Yet the writer still reckoned them to be babes because of their lack of knowledge of what saith the WORD of GOD.   

This might be surprising but the Lord doesn’t save any one that hasn’t heard and believed the basics of what the writer referred to as the principles of Christ.  That’s why he suggested: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection...”    

My understanding of these things is that the principle doctrine of Christ is the heritage of the newborn babes who are in Christ. 

That Hebrew writer had earlier reproved those same members with:  “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first Principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” 

Hebrews 5:12-13

Thus far the New Testament writers have enabled us to identify those whom they consider to be weak in the doctrine of Christ.

Now let’s take a look at these that they considered to be strong.   

I believe that, first and foremost, Paul would say that a strong Christian is one who has a good understanding of the Holy Scripture and a compassionate spirit.

Here is his assessment of what a strong Christian should be. He wrote: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.”  2 Timothy 2:24

Then he gave the progressive recipe for Christian growth. He said of himself and other established Christians: “…we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  Romans 5:3-5

Then going against all principles that the flesh holds dear, he told those at Corinth: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:10  

Now the basis of Paul’s refuting was that: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.”  

If God had His way, the weak in Paul’s stimulus would only apply to the newborn in Christ.  However, that is seldom the case, for some were saved decades earlier, but yet they are on the milk of the WORD.

(Does that sound familiar?)

Lest we should believe that we are among the strong and should flex our muscles in fleshly pride, the apostle pointed to one of our many weaknesses.                

He said: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  

Romans 8:26-27 

Not only does the Spirit help our infirmities as we pray but He intercedes for us with groanings when we testify or sing the songs of Zion.   I believe that when the saint sings about the way they picture Heaven, and we are aware that the Bible says: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

That is one of the times that:  “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, for it is then that we are not to please ourselves” comes into play.

Therefore what reaches God and His throne is what is flowing from their heart and not their mouth.   However, that is far from the truth in the case of those that write and sing songs that are contrary to the sayings of the Holy Scriptures.

Not forgetting that all of God’s good creation sings and testifies of its Creator.

And we fall into that category.

May God Bless.

Amen!