Romans 120
Bearing the infirmities of the weak
Brian Kocourek
KJV ROMANS 15:1 ¶ We then that are strong ought to bear the
infirmities of the weak, (Now, when Paul is speaking of those who are strong in contrast to those
who are weak, he is speaking of the condition of their Faith. For the word
infirmities that he refers to in those that are weak means the errors and
shortcomings in character of those who are weak. And he tells us that we should
put up with their weak character traits in order to build them up in The Faith.
And then he says) and not to please ourselves. (And this really is the key, for
Eternal Life is living for others. Eternal life is not self centric, but is
others focused. And sometimes in helping others you are going to get slammed,
and spit on and mocked and jeered, and even scourged and crucified.)
Just Look at Jesus Christ Himself. He
never once lived for himself, but His whole mission in Life was to come and
sacrifice Himself for mankind, and yet look how mankind treated Him. As the
Apostle Paul said in I
CORINTHIANS 2:8 for had they known Who He
was, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. And this is the example that Paul is putting
before us in these words here in chapters 14 and 15 of his letter to the Romans.
He continues by saying, 2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for
his good to edification. (Now the focus here is not on self but on
the lifting up and building up of others. And the Greek word for neighbor is “plesion”,
and it means neighbor or friend. But more specifically, it speaks of where two
are concerned, referring to the other, thy fellow man. According to the Jews, this
word refers to any member of the Hebrew race and
Now, let’s just examine this verse here where the
Apostle Paul is showing us by using Jesus Christ as the example or what our
attitude towards others should be. He lets us know that we should have this attitude
that is willing to set its own needs and interests aside in order to set the
needs and interests of others ahead of self.
In Paul’s 1st letter to the
Corinthians, we find him speaking of this same subject in I CORINTHIANS 10:24 Let
no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. (Paul is not
saying that you should covet another man’s wealth, no, because the ten
commandments speak strongly against that. But he is saying you should seek to
help others attain their wealth above that of your own. In other words, if you
have the right attitude you would always prefer your brother and never your own
self. That is the servants heart. ) 25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no
question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness
thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be
disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for
conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice
unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for
the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thy own, but of the other: (Now,
notice that Paul is saying that we should walk so as not to stumble those that
are weak. If you are strong in the Lord then you are not a legalist, but that
does not mean that you should just do whatsoever you want, when you want, and
where you want. He is saying, there are times when you are in the presence of
those who might be weaker in their faith than you are and you should take into
consideration that what you do might be offensive to them, or it might stumble
them, not understanding your freedom in Christ. And so we should be careful in
life and in all things, because whatsoever we do in word or in deed we do it
unto the Lord.)
for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by
grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32
Give none offence, neither to the Jews,
nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men
in all things, not seeking mine own
profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 11:1 ¶ Be ye
followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.
Now, in order for us to understand fully what
Paul is saying concerning pleasing your neighbor, he is not saying to be
politically correct. Nor is he telling us to compromise our stand for the Truth
, for this is not the example that Jesus gave to us.
GALATIANS 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other
gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet
pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you,
brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I
neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of
Jesus Christ.
I THESSALONIANS 2:1 ¶ For yourselves, brethren, know
our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully
entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto
you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of
deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be
put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God,
which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither
at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness;
God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we
glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been
burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (Notice here is the key, God is our witness. Remember this chapter in
Romans opens with the verse, you can not live to yourself nor can you die to
yourself for you are the Lords. And if we always look to the Lord for our
direction as Jesus did, then your motive in how you treat others and how you
speak the Words of Life to others will always be controlled by your first
knowing that you are serving God as you serve others. And therefore he says, ) 7 ¶ But we were
gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being
affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not
the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day,
because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the
gospel of God. 10 Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and
unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we
exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his
children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his
kingdom and glory.
In I THESSALONIANS 4:1 Paul tells us further how to
conduct ourselves among the brethren. ¶
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God,
so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you
by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,
that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know
how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of
concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond
and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger
of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not
called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth,
despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 9 ¶ But as touching brotherly love ye need not
that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but
we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye study
to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as
we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without,
and [that] ye may have lack of nothing.
Now, in Philippians Paul brings it home and let’s
us know for sure the attitude that we should have is the same attitude that
Jesus had. PHILIPPIANS
2:1
¶ If [there be] therefore any
consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit,
if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having
the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through
strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus
(Now these words, Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus, is translated in the NIV as let this
attitude be in you that was also in Christ Jesus. ) 6 Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of
no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
ELIJAH AND ELISHA
54-0304 E-18 So in America the signs and
wonders of God can take place. If what was took place last night or the night
before (one of those nights, either night) in
HEBREWS CHAPTER 2 PART 3 57-0828 72-225 Now,
this Book is... Paul, you remember, he was... How did we find him? He was a
great teacher to begin with--or a great scholar. And he was trained in the Old
Testament. Can anybody tell me now, who we found his teacher was? Gamaliel, one
of the noted teachers of the day. And then Paul, we find out, one day before he
was called Paul... Can anybody tell me what his name was? [Congregation answers
"Saul"--Ed.] Saul. And he was a great authority in
72-228 Did you know Dwight Moody
was--was so uneducated till, honest, his writings were poor as--as I don't know
what. They had to fix up his messages all the time, he a--he was such a poor
writer, very uneducated. Did you know that Peter and John
of the Bible were so unlearned till they couldn't even write their own name;
and wouldn't know it laying before them? The Apostle Peter, who had the keys to
the Kingdom, wouldn't know his name signed before him. Think of it. The Bible
said that he was ignorant and unlearned. So that gives me a chance. Amen. Yes,
sir, that goes right on down, to find that God could do that to a man.
HEAR YE HIM 60-0806 E-26
Humility, the way down is always, the way up.
"He that will humble
himself, God will exalt. He that exalteth himself shall be abased." The way down is the way up for the believer, humble himself before God.
Jesus met with men of all walks of life. He met in great circles. One time He
was with thousands, five hundred at once, twelve at once, three at once, and
even will come to one. That makes Him great, because not even one person can
ever call on Him but what He will be right there at their side. That's what makes Him God is because of His
humility.
WILL I FIND FAITH WHEN I
RETURN 51-0508 E-12 No matter what outward demonstration you give, as long as the inward,
here, is the Holy Spirit, it'll be the fruits of the Spirit, long-suffering,
goodness, meekness, patience, gentleness, faith, temperance. Satan can copy any
kind of a gift, any kind of a manifestation, but he can't love. God is love.
that's right. See? Satan can't love. You see a man humble, and loving, and good
to his neighbors, and a good citizen, a good fellow, and a good man, and a
Christian man, full of love and humility; you watch that man. See? That's
right. He's good charitable, long-suffering, you can talk about him, it's
a--all right, he forgives you, don't make any difference to him. There, that's
the real man; keep your eye on him. See? That man bears, he's an example.
JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY
53-0506 E-19 Now, in the days of the
Scripture, He didn't take upon Himself any great name. He was a Man that was
humble, but yet, a Man that could tell you, if it was necessary. You know what
He told Herod; you know what He told the Pharisees. He platted those robes
together, beat them out of the temple, and called them hypocrites and snakes in
the grass and everything else, and called Herod an old fox, and (See?)--but
yet, full of humility, humble
PALMERWORM LOCUST CATERPILLAR 59-0823 19 And if it so happens
that you, your church doesn't believe, or you do not believe just the things
that we speak of as our church Doctrine, we trust that it will by no means
bring an offense. Because the very first step to successful Christianity, and
to show that man has received the Holy Spirit, is humility, real God-given
humility, that It must be given humbly. But, yet, a church without a doctrine
is just like a jellyfish; it has no backbone. So, we've got to have backbone in
it. And not also backbone, but teeth also, because the
GOD HIDING HIMSELF IN SIMPLICITY 63-0412E
E-40 You've got to let the mind that was in
Christ be in you. God
dealing with man has always been in humility. He never does deal
with men in great big theological terms. Tell me one time He ever did. He never
does. He makes Hisself simple. And
man wants to make it complicated. He
makes Hisself great by making Hisself humble. Now, when a man gets a little bit of education, or
a few degrees, he knows so much till you can't tell him nothing. But if be could just keep on getting great
enough till he could make hisself little, till he knows nothing, then it'd
be all right. But he can't get that big. See? He just can't get that big. And
God is that big. He's so big till He can make Hisself humble. But we can't
be--get big enough to make ourself humble. That's the difference. E-41
And so God hides Himself in
humility and simplicity. And man-wisdom of the world looks right over the
top of it. No wonder Isaiah said, "Who has believed our report? To whom is
the arm of the Lord revealed?" Jesus said, "I thank Thee, Father of
heaven, of earth, that You have hid this from the eyes of the wise and prudent,
and will reveal it to babes such as will learn." Humility, simplicity,
just watch how God makes Hisself simple.
PROVERBS
WASHING JESUS FEET
57-0310A E-13 We see that same thing today,
people wanting to put on a show that the outside would look at, that somebody
would think they would be big. They want the biggest meeting, or the biggest this,
or something on the better dressed crowd coming to their church, the biggest
church, the highest steeple, the best of pews, something big. What we need is
more God and not so much of the world. "He that will humble himself, God will exalt." But humbleness has to come first.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 59-0628E 376 God
has a hard time trying to get somebody that He can deal with, that'll stay
humble, and meek, and stay in the place until God calls him to do something
(you believe that? See?), a man that God
can bless and he'll still keep hisself a man, not be an angel or a god. As
soon as man gets blessed and has a little something given to him, he wants to
become a god; he wants to become a angel. He wants to become some great person.
"What I do, what... Me and me and mine..." all that. That's the wrong
attitude. God's hunting for somebody who He could bless and pour out the
blessings, and more He blessed, the
littler the man will become.
And you'll never get more of God until you become nothing. You've got to belittle yourself. He
that will exalt himself, God will bring abase. He that will humble himself, God will exalt. You've got to get
little before you can get big. And you'll
never be big in your own self; you'll only be as big as God will be big in you.
See?
To know that the very God that made the heavens
and earth would humble Himself and come down and dwell among us,
INFLUENCE OF ANOTHER
62-1013 127
Isaiah said, "Woe is me!" A prophet, a vindicated prophet,
born a prophet, the major prophet of the Bible; and he said, "Woe is me,
for my eyes have seen the glory of God." Look at that prophet humble
himself, a prophet, the man that the Word of God came to. But when he saw a
vision in action, he said, "Woe is me, for I'm standing so close till I
see the Lord's Presence."
Our modern American
people can see it happen, and walk away, and laugh at it. Yes. That's right.
WAY OF A TRUE PROPHET
63-0119 E-31 He can rise up men, anoint men to bring His
Word. He can put the Word in a man, send him forth, and prove that He's God by
that person that'll humble himself and submit himself to God, and not be afraid
to take God at His Word. He's able to do it. And He will do it; He promised He
would.
THE FIFTH SEAL 63-0322 342-1
{59} And you see, God is so great till He can humble Himself a place till a human being
can't climb down that far. See? That's all. Now, look, they are trying to
find Him by sending the boys to school and getting a bachelor of art and
degree. And they're trying to find it by a theological terminology of the
Bible, and they're trying to find Him by educational programs, and by
organizational programs, and by beautifying things. And trying to find... He's
not there at all. You’re just fighting the wind; that's all. You're getting
away from it.
342-2 {61}
If they could be big enough to be simple enough, they could find Him in that direction by being simple. But as long
as you're going towards wisdom, you're going away from Him. Now, let me get
that so you won't miss it. As long as you're trying to find God by wisdom, like
it was in the garden of Eden, like it was in the days of Moses, like it was in
the days of Noah, like it's been in the days of Christ, in the days of John, in
the days of the apostles, and to this day, when you try to figure it out, and
try to find God by wisdom, you're going farther from Him all the time. You're
trying to understand it. There's no way of doing it. Just accept it. See? Just
believe it. Don't try to understand it.