We Who Are Strong Ought to Bear the Infirmities of Those Who Are WeakSermon Title: WE WHO ARE STRONG
Text: We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.--Romans 15:1 (King James Version)
Note that in this verse Paul uses a personal pronoun, not an indefinite one. "We," not "Someone" must bear the burden. I note that Paul uses a first person plural pronoun; therefore, the responsibility is at the same time personal and collective. I must do my part, and society, including the government, must do its part.
The weak should not be asked to subsidize the indulgences of the strong as is the case with the attempt to use the city sales tax to lure an NBA team.
Calling the vote, an attempt to become a "Big League City" is an example what George Orwell decried when he said, "The great enemy of clear language is insincerity."
Paul does not speculate on why the poor are poor. There is no distinction between the "deserving" and "undeserving" poor. In the Bible, poverty is a condition, not a case study.
The verse, "The poor you shall have with you always" should never be seen, as it often is, as a reason to escape our responsibilities to the poor. Because the poor are always with us, there is always work for us to do.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus was most concerned about the poor. How we respond to them shows just how real our faith is. We love because we have been loved ourself.
Most people have just enough religion to make them feel guilty but not responsible for what they should be doing.
Being a Christian is about how one carries oneself in the community rather than what one believes. The world needs more grace, not more creeds.
No comments:
Post a Comment