_Him that is weak in the faith receive, but not to doubtful disputations._ STRONG AND WEAK Here is a lesson-- I. For those who are strong in the faith. 1. Not to provoke. 2. Nor despise those who are weak. II. For those who are weak. Not to judge their stronger brethren. III. For both. 1. To... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not._ STRONG AND WEAK I. The strong should not despise the weak brethren. 1. Tenderness and sensitiveness of conscience is a quality as precious as it is rare. 2. The clearer light of the strong is due to God’s special mercy and their superior adv... [ Continue Reading ]
_One man esteemeth one day above another._ THE SABBATH QUESTION It has been argued--“If we adopt the supposition, that a Christian Sabbath law was then in force, the propriety of the apostle’s counsel of forbearance must appear questionable, inasmuch as it must have been regarded by all as of indi... [ Continue Reading ]
_For none of us liveth to himself._ NONE OF US LIVETH UNTO HIMSELF This is seen in-- I. Success, which can be secured only by co-operation. When one devotes himself to one kind of work and another to another, the results of their labours are brought together to complete a perfect mechanism. Thus... [ Continue Reading ]
_For whether we live, we live unto the Lord._ THE CHRISTIAN IDEA O/ LIFE I. The Christian idea of life: “To the Lord we live: to the Lord we die.” That idea of life is founded on Romans 14:7. In one aspect that is a universal and inevitable law. Now, Paul says that what all other men must do uncon... [ Continue Reading ]
_For to this end Christ both died and rose,… that He might be Lord both of the dead and living._ HOW WE SHOULD IMPROVE THE END OF CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION Christ’s death and resurrection are firmly believed, and often considered by us; but too little attention is paid to the end of both. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_But why dost thou judge … thou set at nought thy brother?_ for we shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ. THE GUILT OF JUDGING AND CONTEMPTUOUSNESS To the weak and scrupulous the apostle says, “Why judge?” To the strong and liberal, “Why despise?” I. The supremacy of conscience. 1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God._ THE FINAL SUBJECTION OF MANKIND TO GOD WILL BE I. Universal. II. Complete. It includes-- 1. An acknowledgment of His supremacy. 2. Submission at His feet. 3. The confession of every tongue. II. Cer... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block …, in his brother’s way._ LIMITATIONS OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY It is limited-- I. In its extent; by a tender regard for the weak. Love-- 1. Avoids offence. 2. Respects the convictions of other... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let not then your good be evil spoken off _ WE OUGHT NOT, FOR WE HAVE NONE TOO MUCH. We may through-- 1. Ignorance. 2. Levity of temper. 3. Moroseness. 4. Want of stability. 5. Improvidence. 6. A number of little things which, like dust upon a diamond, obscure its lustre, though each partic... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink._ GOD’S KINGDOM I. The description given of the kingdom of God. 1. The import of the term. Christ’s spiritual kingdom established on earth--His dominion over His redeemed people, having its seat in the soul, and extending over the entire life. This is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace._ THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR PEACE I. What these things are. 1. Righteousness. 2. Humility. 3. Love. 4. Faith. II. We must follow them. 1. Earnestly. 2. Prayerfully. 3. With steady faith in our ultimate attainment of them. III. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth._ IT IS GOOD NOT TO DRINK WINE Many object to total abstinence because it is not insisted on in the New Testament in so many words. True; but Paul appeals to our honour, conscience, brotherly feelings, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hast thou faith?_ Have it to thyself before God. DUTIES IN REGARD TO THINGS INDIFFERENT Some things are unlawful in their own nature, and can never be right. Others are wrong because forbidden, and only as long as the prohibition continues, and only to the parties concerned. Others are wrong on... [ Continue Reading ]