The Weak Brother

1 Cor. 8:7-13 (ESV)
However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. [8] Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. [9] But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? [11] And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. [12] Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. [13] Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

And here we have the weak brother. Sometimes we have to for the sake of those who are weaker than us forego a freedom we have in Christ. But I am often amazed at how this text is also abused, and applied to things that have nothing to do with the context. Here I mean such things as drinking a beer, or smoking. Often the so-called weak brother is not a weak brother at all, but a Pharisee in sheep’s clothing who is trying to bind your conscience. In doing this the “weak brother,” is actually putting a stumbling block not only in your path, but in the path of those around you. They give credence to the idea that Christianity is about a list of rules one must follow in life, and works righteousness. These people do not believe the gospel, the forgiveness of sins, is for Christians, but is a one time offer for those who want to accept the list of rules and follow them here on out. We cannot afford to let these people speak unchallenged. The Christian religion is not about rules. It is about the cross, where Christ freely forgave all your sins before and after becoming a Christian. It is for this reason that Paul would not eat meat offered to idols. He wanted the weak brother to focus on Christ and the cross, and not have his gaze turned from the cross to futile works and sacrifices offered to false gods. There are times when foregoing your Christian freedom to eat at a Hindu temple needs to be passed over for the sake of those around you. But there are more often times that living out your Christian freedom, and celebrating the forgiveness of sins you have in Christ, is a greater show of love for your neighbor. The love of Christ, not the law, is what defines Christian identity.