The Ethical Imperative And we the strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong and not please ourselves. Romans 15:1 Ought - We have been persuaded. We are convinced. We understand. We realize that there is room for both Torah and grace. We see that the two paths converge in the purposes of God. We know what it means to live righteously. We see the Way. But not everyone of our brothers and sisters have clear sight. Paul has some instructions for us, the strong. Go gently into the world! This is not a matter of argument and confrontation. This is a matter of bearing another’s burden, and completely the royal law of love. Paul puts the emphasis on the imperative. The first word in the Greek sentence is opheilomen. The root word, opheilo, means to be bound to a duty, to perform a required act. Derivatives include the idea of a debt or obligation. You can see that this is not optional. Paul is providing halachah. This is instruction based in the understanding of the Torah that is binding on the congregation. We need to hear this because far too often we use our new-found liberty and understanding as a hammer against those who have yet to step on to this path. We have been set free from the legalist. We know that Torah observance is the means of usefulness. But many are still bound by tradition, struggling with their concept of rules and regulations, afraid to succumb once again to the oppression of purchased righteousness. Paul points to the proper action. Carry them! No man gains superiority over any other man, lost or found, by claiming greater insight or deeper knowledge. Our Savior exemplified the only proper path to godliness. He humbled Himself and took on the form of a slave. He washed the feet of those who did not understand. He gave up His eternal majesty in order to lift those who could not see the truth. Never did He chastise the ignorance of the destitute or depressed. Never did He prove His points in order to gain status. If the Son of the Most High God can stretch across the gap between the eternal mysteries of Being and the fragile incomprehension of our human frame, are we not called to do the same with the tiny bit of clarity that we have been given? Paul exhorts us. “Yes. God has favored you with understanding. This did not come from your intellect or your achievements. Knowledge of His Way is a gift. And you must use it as a gentle means of enriching others. It is no different than any other fruit of the true Vine. It is not for you. It is to equip you to carry the load of those who seek Him. It’s time to put aside the arguments and the proof-texts. The truth of the Way is found in the love we have for one another. It is a responsibility and a privilege. It is a call to action. Who will you carry today?
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 02:08:19 +0000
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