The Weaker Brother
So by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.—1 Cor. 8:11
In our common relationships with other believers: we are debtors to the weak in many things.
(1) Let us be watchful in the use of our liberty, and labour to be inoffensive in our behaviour. There is a commanding force in an example. Looseness of life is cruelty to us and to the souls of others.
(2) Let men take heed of taking up Satan's office, in misrepresenting the good actions of others, as he did in Job's case; 'Does Job fear God for naught?' (Job 1:9). The devil gets more by such discouragements and reproaches that are cast upon believers than by fire and faggot. These, as unseasonable frosts, nip all gracious inclinations in the bud. A Christian is a hallowed and a sacred thing, Christ's temple; and he that destroys his temple, him will Christ destroy (1 Cor. 3:17).
(3) Take heed, there is among Christians a bold censuring of others, while not considering their situations. Some will unchurch and unbrother in a passion. But ill humours do not alter true relations. We should not smite one another by hasty censures, especially in things of a secondary nature. Some things are as the mind of him that does them or does them not; for both may be unto the Lord. Christ, for the good motivations he sees in us, overlooks any ill in them, so far as not to lay it to our charge. Men must not be too curious in prying into the weaknesses of others. We should labour rather to see what they have that is for eternity, than the weakness which the Spirit of God will in time consume. Some think it is strength to not bear with the faults of the weaker Christian, but the truth is that the strongest are those readiest to bear with the infirmities of the weak. Where most holiness is, there is most moderation. We see in Christ a marvellous temper of absolute holiness, with great moderation. What would have become of our salvation, if he had stood his ground, and not stooped so low to us?
(1) Let us be watchful in the use of our liberty, and labour to be inoffensive in our behaviour. There is a commanding force in an example. Looseness of life is cruelty to us and to the souls of others.
(2) Let men take heed of taking up Satan's office, in misrepresenting the good actions of others, as he did in Job's case; 'Does Job fear God for naught?' (Job 1:9). The devil gets more by such discouragements and reproaches that are cast upon believers than by fire and faggot. These, as unseasonable frosts, nip all gracious inclinations in the bud. A Christian is a hallowed and a sacred thing, Christ's temple; and he that destroys his temple, him will Christ destroy (1 Cor. 3:17).
(3) Take heed, there is among Christians a bold censuring of others, while not considering their situations. Some will unchurch and unbrother in a passion. But ill humours do not alter true relations. We should not smite one another by hasty censures, especially in things of a secondary nature. Some things are as the mind of him that does them or does them not; for both may be unto the Lord. Christ, for the good motivations he sees in us, overlooks any ill in them, so far as not to lay it to our charge. Men must not be too curious in prying into the weaknesses of others. We should labour rather to see what they have that is for eternity, than the weakness which the Spirit of God will in time consume. Some think it is strength to not bear with the faults of the weaker Christian, but the truth is that the strongest are those readiest to bear with the infirmities of the weak. Where most holiness is, there is most moderation. We see in Christ a marvellous temper of absolute holiness, with great moderation. What would have become of our salvation, if he had stood his ground, and not stooped so low to us?
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 31-33 [35-36]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
The Bruised Reed, pp. 31-33 [35-36]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
Categories
Recent
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 22
December 22nd, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 21
December 21st, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 20
December 20th, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 19
December 19th, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 18
December 18th, 2024
2024
January
One Thing (1)One Thing (2)Our Thoughts and Desires Reveal Who We AreThe Christian's Desire for God's House (1)The Christian's Desire for God's House (2)What the Soul Was Made ForGod Makes the Heart TenderMaintaining a Tender Heart (1)Maintaining a Tender Heart (2)Maintaining a Tender Heart (3)Maintaining a Tender Heart (4)Test to See if Your Heart is TenderHow to Recover a Tender HeartBenefits of a Tender HeartKings Must Humble Themselves Before GodHow to Humble Ourselves (1)How to Humble Ourselves (2)How to Humble Ourselves (3)Proneness to PrideHumilityTrue versus False Humility (1)True versus False Humility (2)True versus False Humility (3)Both Outward Devotion and Inward AffectionWeeping for the ChurchWeeping and Rejoicing Mixed (1)Weeping and Rejoicing Mixed (2)God Hears Our Prayers--His PartWhen It Seems God Doesn't HearThe Privilege of PrayerGod Hears Our Prayers--Our Part
February
Death Is a Gathering (1)Death Is a Gathering (2)The Righteous Preserve their NationGod's Righteous JudgmentThe Importance of Knowing God Loves Me (1)The Importance of Knowing God Loves Me (2)Abundance Is Not an Accurate Sign of God's LoveRun to GodChristian UnityChrist In Us (1)Christ In Us (2)Christ In Us (3)Christ In Us (4)Christ In Us (5)Christ the Servant: the MediatorThe Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (1)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (2)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (3)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (4)God Knows Our FrameLittle at First (1)Little at First (2)Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (1)Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (2)Avoiding Unnecessary RulesThe Weaker BrotherExtend Grace to One AnotherThe Covenant of GraceThe Light of God Compared to Fire (1)
March
The Light of God Compared to Fire (2)The Light of God Compared to Fire (3)Temptation (1)Temptation (2)The Source of DiscouragementsResponding to Christ's KindnessVictory in Spiritual BattlesHis Power Not OursCourage Until the End (1)Courage Until the End (2)Our Hearts—God's TempleSin in God's PeopleSigns of God's Impending Judgment (1)Signs of God's Impending Judgment (2)Signs of God's Impending Judgment (3)Preventing God's Judgment on Our Nation (1)Preventing God's Judgment on Our Nation (2)The Ugliness of Sin (1)The Ugliness of Sin (2)Far but NearChrist's Dying Words of ComfortThe Wrong of Excessive SorrowSteps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (1)Steps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (2)Steps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (3)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (1)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (2)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (3)Christ and the Holy SpiritChrist Is the Heart and Power of the Scriptures (1)Christ Is the Heart and Power of the Scriptures (2)
No Comments