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The Weaker in the Faith

Romans 14 – Receiving alongside the weaker in the faith

Romans 14:1-6
Moreover, bring alongside[1] the one weak in the faith , not unto discerning[2] of doubts, who on the one hand believes to eat all, on the other hand the weak one eats herbs. Let not the one eating despise the one not eating, and let not the one not eating judge the one eating. For the God brings him alongside. Who are you to judge the household servant of another? To his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand for the Lord has the natural ability to make him stand, who on the one hand judges a day alongside another, one the other hand who judges all days, each in his own mind being fully framed[3]. The one framing the mind on the day, to [the] Lord he frames the mind and the one not framing the mind on the day to [the] Lord does not frame the mind. And the one eating, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to the God and the one not eating does not eat to the Lord and gives thanks to the God.

[1] Often has the meaning of bringing alongside to instruct

[2] 1 Corinthains 12:10; Hebrews 5:14

[3] Combination of two Greek words. To fill up where something is lacking and to frame the mind. Luke 1:1; Romans 4:21; 2 Timothy 4:5,17

The Weaker in the FaithLuther Walker2023-12-14T11:18:52-08:00

The Testing for Approval of Our Faith

1 Peter 1: 6, 7 In which you all greatly rejoice, yet since for a little while it is necessary to grieve in diverse trials in order that the testing for approval of your faith, being more precious than gold, the one purified through fire, indeed when it is tested for approval, it may be found unto the praise and honor and unto an expression of a proper opinion at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

When we are solicited to do something that lacks in character, through this temptation, the quality of our faith is clearly seen. Are we truly taking God at His Word, or just saying we believe, but not actually willing to put it into action?

James writes, “ Count it all joy, my brethren, when you are encompassed by various trials (caused by solicitations to do that which lacks in character), experientially knowing that the testing for approval of your faith works our patience. And let patience have its work of maturity in order that you may be mature and whole, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

When we struggle with desires that we know are contrary to what we as Christians should be involved in, we should not fear them, but see them as opportunities to know if we are taking God at His Word.

Do you know how to have victory over your sin nature? Do you know that the sin nature is? If you know, are you applying it correctly? If you do not know, this is a very basic part of the Christian life, apart from which you will never live a successful life His saint.

So often we use a quality of law to defend against desires that are contrary to what […]

The Testing for Approval of Our FaithLuther Walker2013-02-20T08:09:54-08:00

Faith – Taking God at His Word

Romans 1:16, 17 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of the Christ for it is the inherent ability of God unto salvation to all the ones believing, both the Jew first, and Greeks, for the righteousness of God is revealed by it out from faith into faith just as it is written, “The righteous will live out from faith”.

Faith – Taking God at His Word (Faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen)

What does it mean to live by faith? Since faith is always based upon a promise from God, when we live by faith, we live according to what God has said. Faith is not blind, so living a life out from faith is not a blind leap; rather, it is a life that takes full advantage of the benefits that God has so graciously provided for the believer who is in Christ.

When we believed the Gospel for salvation, a new life began for us. Now, we are no longer in Adam; rather, we are in Christ. As part of our salvation, we know that God has promised that we will one day be with Him in a state of blamelessness and purity; however, what about today?

Does the fact that we are in Christ affect our lives today? Oh, we know that it should, but how?

Framing our minds on who we are in Christ is not positive thinking, it is acknowledging facts that are true and therefore seeing things as they really are, which will result in having a correct frame of mind. Since we are in Christ, let us put on Christ as an outer garment and make no provision […]

Faith – Taking God at His WordLuther Walker2016-10-12T06:02:46-07:00

Inner Burning (ἐνθύμησις)

Enthumesis (ἐνθύμησις) comes from a word that means inner burning (thumos – θυμος). By adding the preposition in (ἐν), it describes the burning within a person while not retaining the aspect of anger that thumos expresses.

During Christ’s ministry to Israel, a paralyzed man was brought to him. Seeing the man’s faith, Jesus told him to be of good cheer because He has forgiven his sins, Matthew 9:2. Immediately, some of the scribes said among themselves this was blasphemy. However, Jesus intuitively knew their inner burnings and asked them, “Why do you burn malignant evil in your hearts?” Matthew 9:4. Answering the inner burnings of their hearts Jesus states, “Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven you or to say rise and walk?” Christ stated that this man’s sins were sent away so they would know that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sin, Matthew 9:6.

The Pharisees were firmly against Jesus and took every opportunity they could to speak against Him. After Jesus released a man who was possessed by a demon that was causing him to be blind and mute, the multitude was amazed and questioned if Jesus could be the son of David. The Pharisees responded by claiming that Christ cast out this demon by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. Jesus, being aware of their inner burnings, calls them out for their sons’ actions, who were casting out demons. If He is doing it by the authority of Beelzebub, by whose authority are their sons casting them out? However, the reality is that a house that stands against itself falls; therefore, since a demon was cast out, the Kingdom of God is at hand, […]

Inner Burning (ἐνθύμησις)Luther Walker2024-05-12T07:03:10-07:00

The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans

Nicolaitans is a transliterated word; therefore, there is no English equivalent. We must look back at the original language and translate its meaning into English to understand what it expresses. Nicolaitans (Νικολαΐτης) is a combination of two words: victory (νῖκος) and people (λαός). By compounding these words, they communicate a victory over the people; therefore, it is a person who holds a position of authority over the people.

The concept of the Nicolaitans doctrine comes from the Jews and the priestly structure under the law. From the very beginning of the Church, it is a false doctrine that continually attempts to creep into the local assemblies. The apostle John writes of this doctrine while addressing the first of the seven assemblies in the book of Revelation. Those in Ephesus were indifferent to the Nicolaitans doctrine, even though some attempted to impose it.

But this you have, that you are indifferent to the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also am indifferent to. Revelation 2:3.

In Christ, the distinctions of sex, class, and race have no value; instead, it is the new creation, Galatians 6:15. This new creation is the body of the Christ, in which Christ is the head and the Church is His body, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:22-23. Within the body of the Christ, there is no separation based upon any of these statuses, for we are all part of one body, 1 Corinthians 12:13. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is distinct from the Mosaic law, which implemented a priesthood and specific classes of people. However, in the local assemblies of the Church, the Pastors and other leaders are not separated from the congregation.

In its full form, the doctrine of […]

The Doctrine of the NicolaitansLuther Walker2024-04-18T06:36:20-07:00

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