How do we deal with
those that don’t see things as we do?
Scripture tells us
that we are to bear the infirmity of those weak (i.e., in knowledge of Pauline doctrine),
and not to please ourselves.
Romans 15:1-2
We then that are
strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [that is, don’t look for your
own pleasure in how you deal with them, but...] Let every one of us
please his neighbour for his good to edification.
A person is edified
when our motivation stems out of charity (God’s righteousness), and not from
the working of our own flesh (our own righteousness).
Romans 10:3
For they being
ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
In Israel, meat
offered to idols was a huge deal, an abomination in time past. But now in the dispensation of grace, meat is
just meat. Paul would say if you were
around Jewish brethren [those saved, but not built up yet] in the body of
Christ and because of his religious bondage (spiritual baggage) that says ‘don’t
eat swine’ then don’t eat pork in his presence. He would tell you: When he leaves you presence, eat the bacon,
eat the chops, eat the ribs…whatever! Enjoy
it! You have knowledge that meat is just
meat, but he doesn’t; he’s not ready to eat it with a clear conscience. Paul writes that we all have knowledge…meaning,
we know some things from Paul (i.e., his doctrine). He goes on to tell us, knowledge puffeth up…but, on the
opposite side...charity
edifieth. (When
you see in your King James Bible the ‘…eth’ I always remind you that means "continually.")
1 Corinthians 8:1-
Now as touching
things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge
puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Charity is the
giving of yourself for someone else’s greater good. When we find someone that is weak in the
knowledge of doctrine given to our Apostle Paul, we are to gently give it to
them so that they can grow (aka, be edified).
That is charity; dealing with their infirmities so that you can build
them up. That is the purpose of my
ministry—not to put on a show or entertain, but—to edify the saints. Charity is to stem from a love of God that
they, if they receive it, God will work in them building up their inner man.
So, how do you deal
with that weaker brother? By bearing
with them, enduring them (1 Corinthians 13:7), and in charity build them up (Ephesians 4:29-31). Knowledge puffeth up. (1 Corinthians 8:11) Knowledge is good, and Paul wants you to have
knowledge, but [because in our flesh, it puffeth up] it has to be tempered with
charity.
When you know
someone else, spiritually speaking, give it to them in love and charity. Whether they receive it or not, that is up to
them.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
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