The Duty of The Strong Christian
The Duty of the Strong Christian
Romans 15:1
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
If you have the ability to help somebody then you have some strength. The strength we have is because of God’s grace and we will be held accountable for it. …
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10). …For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…
(Luke 12:48).
A man can have strength to help and not help, therefore
a man can be strong yet not mature in the faith.
We have a great obligation before God and to the weak. Here are five more reasons to bear (lift, carry, endure) the weak.
- When we bear their infirmities we do it as unto the Lord. … In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40). It is your opportunity to honor Christ!
- In many cases it is how we help the weak become strong. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification (Romans 15:2). Our goal ought to be to strengthen them in their dependence in God and independence of men. In some cases they will always need our help. Jesus said the poor you will have with you always.
- We were once weak unable to help ourselves and the Lord showed us grace, to strengthen us he used people who were stronger than us, now it is our turn.
- It is how we are to exercise our strength, for the glory of God. If we do not use it for what God intended it for than we may lose it! If we do use it then God can trust us with more strength. …He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much… (Luke 16:10).
- We will become weak again and we can expect to reap what we have sown when we were strong. Be not deceived God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). If the Lord tarries and you live to an old age you won’t be able to care fr yourself. If you backslide and destroy your life you will need someone with grace to help you back. Many things could happen to you that could weaken you immediately. Be sure you are looking to be a burden bearing Christian while you can (Galatians 6:2).
Finally, let’s give attention to the end of Romans 15:1 “…and not to please ourselves”
. Bearing the burdens of others and lifting the weak is not always pleasurable. God wants us to know if we are going to accomplish our duty it will take some self-sacrifice. You may not always feel like going to the nursing home, you may not always feel like writing a letter, making a phone call, giving financially, working the bus route, or making a visit but remember that Jesus did it for you!
When it is difficult ask yourself, which position would I rather be in, the strong one or the weak one?
