Articles
Dynamics of Congregational Relationships
The New Testament acknowledges that congregations are comprised of weak and strong members. Paul refers to one “weak in the faith” who cannot act with a good conscience on a matter that is insignificant to God (Rom 14:1ff). In an earlier epistle to the Corinthians he likened the church to a human body wherein “those members … which seem to be weaker are necessary” (1 Cor 12:22).
Differences of knowledge, conviction and ability can drive wedges between brethren who ought to be unified, engaged with each other, serving and supporting each other so that the most important needs – the spiritual ones – are met.
Some thoughts for the strong to consider:
“Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat” – Rom 14:3a.
“Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” – Rom 14:15.
“Do not let your good be spoken of as evil” – Rom 14:16.
“It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak” – Rom 14:21.
“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves” – Rom 15:1.
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’” – 1 Cor 12:21.
Some thoughts for the weak to consider:
“Let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” – Rom 14:3b.
“Why do you judge your brother? Or … show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” – Rom 14:10.
“If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body?” – 1 Cor 12:15.
“And if they were all one member, where would the body be?” – 1 Cor 12:19.
Some who are weak become complacent in their weakness. They actually internalize it as a predominant characteristic, though they may not be fully conscious of having done it. We are all weak in some aspect of our knowledge or character, but we should determine to mature past it. If we are content with being weak, we will never be satisfied because no congregation will ever be able to fill a cup of needs with holes in the bottom.
Some who are strong are oblivious to the struggles of others. As we mature we forget what it was like when we had doubts and insecurities. We can be callous or dismissive toward the weak perhaps without realizing it. Let us be sensitive to where others are in their faith and try to respect, serve and cherish each other because “each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12).
