Ever since my college days I have been somewhat frustrated by this, “stronger brother/ weaker brother" stuff. I think it has only been recently that I have seen it for what it really is. As I have experienced it, it seems to have been mostly an effort of many to assert their privilege to walk as close to the world as they can.
When anyone would object to their perceived “liberties” they would plead their stronger brother advantage and confine any other conservative position as weaker brother stuff. I knew all along that it didn’t smell right but had a tough time getting a handle on it.
In reality these conservative folks who object to the freedom that some take are not weaker brothers at all, but stronger brothers that live in love and deference to the weaker brothers. It really helps me to observe that the “stronger brothers” find themselves in two groups. The stronger that demand their freedoms without regard to the damage they may cause and the stronger that with love and joy live for the spiritual health and strength of the entire Christian family.
So which group do you find yourself among?
