"Declare Your Thanks"

November 15, 2010

“Declare Your Thanks”

Blessings folk!

The Word says much about giving thanks.

I’m always humored this time of year.

We hear those of the world “giving thanks”...especially politicians, media folk, unsaved religious leaders, etc…. all the while stumbling and fumbling around “who” is being thanked…”thank goodness” and the like… tongues tied with the fear of political correctness.

Only One deserves thanks.
Only One deserves adoration.
Only One deserves our worship.

The Lord Most High.

Therefore,

1 Chronicles 16

8 Give thanks unto the Lord , call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
KJV

I declare His deed of provision.
I declare His deed of healing (the Lord healed one yesterday during our corporate gathering…oh, you do not believe in such? You would be in error. Happy)

James 5:14-15
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
KJV

Determine to give thanks unto the Lord.
Call upon His name.
Make known His deeds among the people (not what we do “in His name”...His deeds)
Sing unto Him.
Sing psalms unto Him.
Talk of His wondrous work.

Do these things and watch what the Lord does.

Blessings!


"95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church"

November 10, 2010

“95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church”

Blessings Folk,

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted what became known as his “Ninety-five Theses” at the Castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. Tradition says they were nailed to the church door. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ninety-Five_Theses

These theses (a thesis is a proposition that is maintained by an argument) centered around the abuse of indulgences within the church.

They became the catalyst for a reformation of the church.

I encountered the following recently.
It is worthy of careful consideration and contemplation.

Read each statement.
Read the Scripture.
Take it before the Lord.

If rushed for time, consider a few a day.

The author has given permission to share far and wide.

He has constructed the statement to be “twitter-friendly.”

Let us not only share, let us allow the Lord to speak to us and transform us.

Blessings!

95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church

1. The “church” at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God. (Rom 16:27; 1Cor 6:20; Mt 6:9; 1Cor 10:31)

2. Christians ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in the book of Acts. (Acts 2:42,44; Acts 2:46; Acts 2:38)

3. Many treat “church” like any other social club or sports event that they might attend. (Acts 2:46; Heb 10:25; Acts 1:14)

4. We’ve made Christianity about the individual rather than the community of believers. (Rom 12:5; 1Cor 12:12; 2Tim 4:16)

5. In most “churches” the priesthood of all believers isn’t acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. (1Pt 2:9; 1Cor 12:12; Eph 4:11-13)

6. The “church” as a whole has lost the concept of their being grafted into the promises given to Israel. (Rom 11:15, 17-18, 20, 25)

7. There needs to be a recovery of teaching the whole counsel of God, especially in expository form. (Acts 20:27; 1Tim 4:6, 2Tim 2:15)

8. We take it too lightly that we have the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession. (Ps 119:16; Acts 13:44; Neh 8:9)

9. There has never been more access to the Word of God, yet so little reading of it. (1Tim 4:13; Neh 8:1-3; Ps 119:59)

10. Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge, but do not practice what they read. (Jam 1:22; Mt 7:21; 3Jn 4)

11. Worship has become an idol in many “churches”. The music often resembles that of the world. (Amos 5:23; Phil 4:8; 1Jn 5:21)

12. The world is shaping the views of the “church” more than the “church” shaping the world. (Rom 12:2; Mt 5:13; 1Cor 1:22-23)

13. The “church” spends more money on dog food than on missions. (2Cor 9:6; Lk 21:2; Acts 4:34-35)

14. We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and do not deny our lives. (Lk 14:33; Lk 14:26-27; Mt 8:19-20)

15. There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples. (Mt 28:20; 2Tim 2:2; 2Tim 2:14)

16. Many subscribe to the error that parts of life are to be spiritual while others are to be secular. (1Pt 4:2; Col 3:3; 1Jn 2:6)

17. Modern Christians often find Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent. (Phil 2:21; Jam 3:16; Rom 12:1-2)

18. Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting and praying are considered legalistic. (2Tim 2:21; 2Tim 1:8; Mt 6:17)

19. Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the Gospel. (Phil 3:8; Gal 2:20; Heb 10:34)

20. We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace with flippant confession and shallow consecration. (Lk 14:28-30; Lk 14:26; Jam 4:8)

21. Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel had the requirements of repentance and discipleship. (Acts 2:38; Lk 14:26; Jn 8:31)

22. Now forgiveness is offered without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity. (Heb 10:29; 4:11; Lk 13:24)

23. Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, are all foreign to many in the “church”. (Acts 2:37; Ps 119:9; Heb 6:1-2)

24. The modern church loves itself more than its neighbor. (1Cor 3:3; Gal 5:13; Phil 2:3)

25. The church must repent of its idolization of personality, and of business principles. (2Cor 2:17; 1Cor 3:5; 1Cor 12:23)

26. Many elders and pastors of the “church” sadly are fleecing the flock to supply their own wants. (Jn 10:12-13; 1Pt 5:2-3; Rev 2:15)

27. The qualities most in demand in today’s pastorate are frequently foreign to the Scriptures. (1Tim 3:2-3; 1Tim 3:5; 1Tim 1:5-7)

28. The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of. (2Cor 11:13; Gal 3:1; Gal 2:6)

29. There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate. (3Jn 9; Jer 17:5; 1Cor 12:22)

30. Pastors must trust the Spirit, not statistics. (2Sam 24:1; 1Cor 1:25; Rom 8:14)

31. Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect. (2Tim 4:3-4; Gal 1:10; Jer 1:7-8)

32. God’s prophets are ill-treated and shunned by most “christians” considered too harsh or extreme. (Jer 6:10; Isa 6:9-10; Gal 4:16)

33. The prophets prophesy falsely, priests rule by their own power; and my people love to have it so. (Mt 24:4, 11-12; 1Cor 1:19, Jude 8 )

34. There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits in our day. (2Cor 11:4; Gal 1:8-9; Jude 16)

35. There is an epidemic of a “mock” salvation message. It is correct in doctrine, but false in reality. (2Cor 3:6; 1Jn 5:11-12; Rom 8:9)

36. A salvation that does not make men holy is trusted in by a deceived multitude. (Jude 4; Rom 8:1; Rom 6:17-18)

37. There is a needed perseverance in the truths of the Gospel without unbelief. (Eph 1:1; Heb 6:11-12; Heb 10:26-27)

38. A great need is to see “christians” become saints in actual experience. (1Jn 2:29; Col 3:5-8; Tit 3:8)

39. Many professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ. (Mt 23:13; Ps 119:1-2; 2Pt 1:3-4)

40. Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God. (Jn 6:26; Rom 4:20; 1Pt 4:11)

41. Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke. (Jer 6:14; Pro 1:23; 1Tim 5:20)

42. Run from gospels that focus on our success and prosperity in the name of Jesus Christ. (Jn 2:16; Acts 20:33; Jer 6:13)

43. Run from gospels that focus on self-improvement. (1Tim 6:5; Heb 12:14; Jam 4:14)

44. Run from churches where men, and not Christ, are glorified. (Col 1:18; Jude 25; Jn 16:14)

45. Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no mention of the blood of Christ. (1Pt 1:18-19; Eph 3:13; Rev 1:5)

46. Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence. (1Cor 5:4; Ps 80:14-15; Jer 12:11)

47. Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin. (1Cor 14:25; Heb 10:30-31; Heb 4:13)

48. Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda. (Jude 10-11,19; 3Jn 9)

49. Run from those who preach division between races and cultures. (Jam 2:4, Gal 3:28, Rev 5:9)

50. Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying. (Jer 5:13; 1Cor 14:33, 1Jn 2:16)

51. Run from preachers who tell mostly stories and jokes. (Eph 5:4; Tit 1:8; 2:12)

52. Run from those that are only after money, who use one gimmick after another to get your money. (2Pt 2:3; 2Cor 12:14; 1Cor 9:18)

53. The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour” is not found in the Scriptures. (Rom 10:9-10; Col 1:13; Acts 26:20)

54. Evidence of true conversion does not seem important to modern day Christians. (1Jn 2:6; 1Jn 4:17; Mt 7:20)

55. Thousands of sinners think of God as having only one attribute: Love! But they continue in sin. (Rom 1:18; Acts 5:11; Ps 2:12)

56. “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!” has hindered true evangelism. (Rom 3:19; Acts 26:18; Phil 3:18-21)

57. A Gospel of love and grace only, without the law of God being preached. This is a doctrine of Satan. (2Tim 4:3-4; Rom 2:4-5; 3:19)

58. There has clearly arisen a careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation. (Col 2:8; Rom 1:25; Gal 1:6)

59. Decisionism and the “sinner’s prayer” has been a major cause of false conversions in the “church”. (2Pt 2:1-2; Eph 2:4-5; 2Cor 5:17-18)

60. Many will be surprised to hear Jesus say, “I never knew you, depart from me.” (Mt 7:22-23; 1Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21)

61. Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit in confirming men in their supposed salvation. (1Jn 2:3-5; 2Ths 1:8; Gal 6:12-15)

62. The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most professing “christians”. (Mt 13:42; Jam 5:1; Ps 9:17)

63. The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern pulpit. (2Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; 1Cor 3:13)

64. The second coming of Christ needs to be re-instated as the church’s general thrust and burden. (1Jn 3:2-3; Col 3:4-6; 1Ths 4:14-17)

65. The church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God. (Heb 12:28-29; Lk 12:5; Heb 10:31)

66. The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals. (Acts 8:1,4; Acts 4:29; Rom 10:14)

67. Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life. (Rev 3:19; Heb 12:17; 2Pt 3:9)

68. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not taught in many pulpits. (Acts 2:36; 1Cor 12:3; Rom 6:18)

69. Many in “churches” are not open to correction, church discipline or rebuke. (1Cor 5:5; 1Cor 11:31-32; Heb 12:7-9)

70. Some preach salvation as a theory instead of persuading men to come to Christ. (Jn 5:40; Col 1:28; 2Cor 4:5)

71. There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel. (1Tim 1:11; Jude 25; Rom 15:29)

72. There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from “church” pulpits. (Jn 3:20; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5)

73. Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling of the world’s goods does not appear wrong. (Jer 22:17; 1Jn 2:15-16; 1Tim 3:3)

74. Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. (1Cor 15:14-15; Acts 4:10, 33)

75. The “church” has relied more on technology than God. (Zech 4:6; 1Cor 1:21; 2:4)

76. The prayer meeting is considered one of the least important meetings in the “church”. (1Tim 2:1; Acts 4:31; Phil 4:6)

77. Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the “church” today. (Jer 10:21; Phil 2:21; Eph 6:18-19)

78. Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for His Church. (Eph 1:11; Ps 37:7; Isa 40:31)

79. The “church” has many organizers, but few agonizers. (Phil 3:18-19; Rom 9:1-3; Jer 9:1)

80. We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the “church”. (2Tim 4:2; 1Cor 14:39; 1Cor 12:31)

81. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached. (2Pt 3:11; 1Pt 4:7; Jude 3)

82. The “church” at large has forgotten how to pray. (1Jn 3:22; Acts 6:4; 1Ths 5:17)

83. Many “churches” are more dependent on tradition than the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Mk 7:13; Acts 16:6; Acts 13:2)

84. Multitudes of professors preach and teach: that you cannot be freed from sin. (Rom 16:18; Rom 6:1-2; 2Pt 2:1)

85. The Apostles and Christ always preached the possibility to walk free from sin. (Tit 2:11-12; 1Pt 1:14-16; Rom 6:19)

86. Sinners are not saved to sin, but rather, saved to holiness and good works. (Rom 6:13; Eph 2:10; 2Pt 3:14)

87. Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. (2Tim 2:19; 1Pt 4:17-18; 2Tim 3:12)

88. A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day. (1Tim 6:3; 2Ths 3:6; 2Ths 2:13)

89. Many are confused about obedience, and good works that are readily mentioned in the Scriptures. (Tit 3:8; Jn 10:32; Rev 3:15)

90. Little emphasis is put on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ in “churches”. (1Pt 1:14-16; 1Jn 2:6; 1Pt 4:1)

91. Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly “church” but for a “glorious Church.” (Eph 5:27; Tit 2:14; Col 4:12)

92. Christ does not come into an unregenerate and impure heart as many contemporary theologians say. (2Cor 5:17; Mt 5:8; Eze 18:31)

93. A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy “church” is God’s judgment upon the world. (Mt 5:14,16; Eph 4:1; 1Ths 2:12)

94. If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more than a theory. (2Ths 3:6-7; 1Ths 4:1,11-12)

95. Unbelief has gagged and bound us as risen Lazarus! We need release in this final hour! (Heb 3:12-14; 1Cor 3:21-23; Heb 11:6)

PUBLISHED IN: 95 THESES GREG GORDON ON NOVEMBER 6, 2010




"The Weaker - Part 5"

November 9, 2010

“The Weaker - Part 5”

Blessings Folk!

Let us look at the final verses of Romans 14…

Romans 14

22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

We have seen that we are free to eat and drink.
We are not free to judge or look with contempt.
We are not free to cause someone to stumble by our freedom.

The last word in Romans 14 is that we live by faith and the conviction we have before God.

By faith we have freedom.
In this conviction we will be happy if we do not condemn ourselves in what we approve.

What does this mean?

We do not condemn ourselves by using our freedom to cause an obstacle to a brother.

If one doubts...if one is a weaker brother who does not eat, then condemnation will come if they eat.

Why?

Because his eating is not by faith.

Do not condemn yourself by eating...if you have not the faith.

To eat by the “faith of another” is sin.

Finally, whatever is not from faith is sin.

So…

  • judge not the one who eats and drinks by faith. All things are clean.
  • show not contempt to those who abstain.
  • build up one another
  • edify one another
  • remember, the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
  • live by faith

Go.
Do.

Blessings!








"The Weaker - Part 4, Serve Acceptably"

November 8, 2010

“The Weaker - Part 4, Serve Acceptably”

Blessings Folk!

We have been examining the “weaker/stronger” brother in Romans 14.

Be certain to read previous posts. Happy

We have seen that we are free to eat and drink, yet we are not to misuse this freedom.

We have seen that the Kingdom of God is not eating or drinking...

Romans 14
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.

The very next word in the Word is important - “For…”.
Much like “therefore,” we do well to consider what “for” is there for...
The previous verses. Happy

Romans 14
 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Serves Christ in what way?

In righteousness.
In peace.
In joy in the Holy Spirit.
In not allowing a good thing be spoken of as evil (verse 16).
In walking according to love (verse 15).
In not judging one another (verse 13).
In not placing obstacles in a brother’s way (verse 13).
In not looking with contempt upon a brother exercising freedom (verse 3).

In this way we serve Christ.
In this way we are acceptable to God.
In this way we are approved by men.

So...

Romans 14
19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

We pursue a couple of things.

  • the things which make for peace
  • the things which build up one another

The Lord reminds us that He is still using eat and drink as an example.

Romans 14
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.

So, let us do so...
...Not tear down the work of God for the sake of food
...Not give offense
...Cause a brother to stumble

We are not to do anything that will cause a brother to stumble.

You can see why it is the brother that does not live in freedom is called the weaker brother.

The weaker brother will not live in freedom related to food and drink.
They will have rules, regulations, “covenants”, etc.

Still, those living in freedom must not cause the weaker to stumble.

Yes, I know.
The weaker often believe and behave as if they are “religiously and righteousness correct and pious”...can be irritating.

Still, those who are stronger must seek to build the Body.

Do not create obstacles.
Do not cause stumbling.

How blessed are we when we are surrounded with brothers who understand and live in freedom! (I thank the Lord for such brothers.)

Blessings!

New videos available - http://alabamaprecept.blip.tv/posts?view=archive&nsfw=dc

New free download of “Kingdom of God” song - http://www.reverbnation.com/dalemoore

"The Weaker - Part 3"

November 5, 2010

“The Weaker - Part 3”

Blessings Folk!

“Remember, remember the fifth of November…” I’m always reminded of that line from one of my favorite movies, “V for Vendetta”. LOL

Let us press on through Romans 14.

We have seen that we are…
  • not to judge one another
  • not to view one another with contempt
  • that each will give an account of himself before God

Give heed to the Word of the Lord…

Romans 14

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
 
15 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.

Notice how the Lord repeatedly tells us not to judge one another.

Then this.

We are to be determined to not put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.
We are not to hurt a brother.

Paul states that he knows and is convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but if someone thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

This was revelation from the Lord.

We are to be discerning in living in freedom and liberty.

If I know that a brother will be caused to stumble through the exercising of my freedom, then I will limit my freedom.

I will not eat.
I will not drink.
I will not do anything that will cause one to stumble.
I will not hurt a brother.

This is true love of the brethren.

To do otherwise is not to walk according to love.

Then the Lord tells us point-blank.

Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

Though, to you, it is a good thing, do not let it be spoken of as evil.

The Lord tells us why.

The Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

This is the way we are to live among brothers.

This is the way that we are to live in freedom and liberty guarded by humility.

Love covers much.

The Kingdom of God is not adherence to rules and regulations related to food and drink.

The Kingdom is righteousness.
The Kingdom is peace.
The Kingdom is joy in the Holy Spirit.

Let us be vessels of the Kingdom...more later…

I wrote a song years ago related to such...rough recording done one night at a coffee shop… Happy Happy
http://www.reverbnation.com/dalemoore
“The Kingdom of God”
Should be the first song on the playlist in the middle of the page.
You can listen live (streaming), download it free.

Blessings!!



"The Weaker - Part 2"

November 4, 2010

“The Weaker - Part 2”

Blessings Folk!

Picking up from yesterday…

There was friction between those who understood that we as believers are free and those who still imposed restrictions upon themselves and others.

We see that we are...
- Free to eat and drink.
- Nothing is unclean.

Some were weaker in faith and ate only vegetables - lest they inadvertently consume meat offered to idols.

The Lord tells those who eat to not have contempt for those who do not eat.
Those who do not eat were not to judge those that eat.

The Lord gives another example…

Romans 14

5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.

 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;

 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Some were exalting a particular day.
Some viewed all days as equal.

They both do so for the Lord.
They both give thanks to the Lord.

Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
This is important, as we will see later.
Such things are a matter of personal conviction, empowered from the Lord.

We live not to ourself, but unto the Lord.
We are the Lord’s.

If we live to something, we do so unto the Lord.
If we die to something, we do so unto the Lord.

Now, read carefully…

Romans 14

 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
 
11 For it is written,          "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,          AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."
 
12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

Again, we are not to judge our brothers...they are free to eat.
We are not to look upon our brothers with contempt...they are free to not eat.

The conclusion is this…
- We all will stand before the judgment seat of God

  • Every knee will bow to the Lord
  • Every tongue will give praise to God
  • Each one will give an account of himself to God

Therefore, remembering the Lord will judge, let us not just nor look with contempt upon each other. Later in the chapter we will see what we are to do… Happy

Blessings!





"The Weaker..."

November 3, 2010

“The Weaker…”

Blessings Folk!

In light of varied outcome in the political decisions of yesterday I’m reading the same phrase from some folk…”the weaker” brother, “the weaker” person.

From the way that they are describing “the weaker,” it is evident that these folk do not know the Word. (“The weaker” is being pictured as one who participates in certain activities.)

Romans 14 gives us detailed instructions as to how we are to live. The Lord uses several examples to communicate some foundational truths.

We are free and at liberty to eat and drink.
We are free and at liberty to celebrate.
We are free and at liberty to not eat and drink.
We are free and at liberty to not celebrate.

For today, read the first few verses…

Romans 14

 1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
 
2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.

 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.

 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Note the instruction.

We are to accept the one who is weak in faith. Too often we misapply this. We think the one who is “weak in faith” is susceptible to certain “sins.” Not true. In this context we see that the “weak in faith” is actually the one that will not release the religious practices and opinions of man. Here it relates to freedom to eat meat or not to eat meat.

One has faith to eat all things - the stronger.
One has faith to eat only vegetables (less he accidentally eat something sacrificed to idols - 1 Cor. 8) - the weaker.

Be careful.

One is not superior to the other...we will see that later…

One is simply weaker in faith within a particular arena.

But, we have a tendency to react and judge.

The one who is strong and understands that he has freedom to eat all things will tend to regard with “contempt” the weaker.
This should not be done.

The one who who is weaker and does not eat all things will tend to judge the stronger.
This should not be done.

Curious is it not?
Those who are weaker are often viewed as the “holier”, “religious”, etc. because of their self-imposed limit on freedom and liberty.
A modern ascetic mindset that quickly morphs into a spirit of pride and religion.
This should not be.

Both the weak and the strong in the faith stand before the Lord.
Both are accepted.
Both are servants of the Lord.

Therefore, let us not judge in this manner.
Let us not look upon one another with contempt.

There is more…later…

1 Corinthians 8

9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Blessings!

A quick reminder…
Short videos of our local Bible studies are available online. Check them out.
http://alabamaprecept.blip.tv/