Accepting the weak

READ: Job 41,42; Psalms 52; Romans 14

SCRIPTURE: Romans 14: 1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

OBSERVATION: “Might makes right” is a famous phrase that means those who are strong decide what is right or wrong. Across the globe, weak people and their concerns often go unnoticed. Romans 14 gives practical suggestions to Christians on how to deal with those who are weak in faith. Paul’s first advice is not to reject them but accept them. We Christians need to accept one another, “just as Christ accepted” us (Rom.15:7). We should not be “quarreling over disputable matters.” Paul lists various reasons to consider accepting the weak. God shows no partiality in accepting those who are weak in faith (v.3). When God accepts somebody as his own, we have no right to reject them. Christ died and was raised for all (v.9). Then Paul reminds us that a weak believer is a brother or sister in Christ. Lastly, Paul says that we all (including the strong and the weak) will stand before God’s judgment seat (v.10). Therefore, we should not judge or condemn others (v.13). We should not destroy the weak or cause them to stumble or fall. Disputes between the believers and quarrels related to food and observing days are not just a modern-day problem. It existed even in the Early Church.

It may appear easy to ridicule the ideas of the weak and condemn them. But that is not the goal of the Christian life. We Christians need to focus on matters related to God and his kingdom. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (v.17). In everything we do, we should allow God’s love to rule and direct us to do what is pleasing to God. Paul encourages every Christian to “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Certainly, we should not despise or mock a person who is weak in his/her faith. Instead, we must do what Jesus would do to them. We should not waste our time proving our point(s) in small things that requires no attention. Our actions should be based on God’s love. Let us examine ourselves: What do we do ​when we see/meet a person who is weak in faith?

APPLICATION: Jesus never rejects a person who comes to him (Jn.6:37). So I must love all and reject none. Just as Christ accepted me, I should love those who are weak in their faith and accept them.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for accepting me as your son/daughter. Help me to consider those who are weak in faith as my brother or sister in Christ. Lord, help me to love and help those who are weak in their faith and glorify God. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

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