Welcome to the
Crestview Church of Christ
Marshall, Texas
The Weak in Faith
Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
Do we make it a practice to accept those who are weak in the faith as full and beloved brothers or sisters? Do we embrace them fully in fellowship?
Or do we see them as a hindrance to the maturity of our congregation?
Do we see those who are weak in faith as holding us back ?
Who do you see as the weak in faith around you and in your assemblies?
1. Those who are not committed enough to Christ?
2. Those who are not dedicated enough Christian service?
3. Those who show up for services when they feel like it, usually late?
How are we supposed to accept those weak in the faith; who are weighing the rest of the congregation down and making us look bad to outsiders?
Let's think about it...
First, what are the weaknesses we see in those who are weak in faith?
1. Pride.
2. Anger.
3. Temper.
4. Laziness.
5. Worry.
6. Fear.
7. Gossip.
8. Selfishness.
9. Doubt.
10. Immorality.
11. Jealousy.
12. Envy.
13. Lying.
14. Unkindness.
15. Saying hurtful words.
16. Thoughtlessness.
Do you see the obvious problem? Which one of us can point to this list of weaknesses and say that not one of them is a problem in our daily lives?
We all have weaknesses in our Christian struggle toward holiness. We ALL need each other; to accept one another in full fellowship without passing judgment on each other. When we judge and reject others, we judge and reject ourselves before God, for by your own words you pronounce judgment on yourself”. (check Matt. 7/Luke 6)
SATAN says: Those weak, lazy members are dragging you down! Rebuke them! Shame them! Preach against them in the pulpit! Let them know how you feel about their lack of commitment to God!
GOD says: Love one another and I will use your weak members to lift the entire congregation up! Outsiders will know you are Mine by the way you love one another, even the very weakest & most frustrating members among you!
What is love? It is the strong bending down in mercy and compassion and patience and gentleness to help the weak! We are to love and accept the weak, not judge them! Only then can others see the Love of God in our fellowship.
And we are all weak in one way or another. All of us!
Paul also wrote in Romans 14:
"Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."
Does the Lord make the weakest of us stand using our snide remarks & sarcastic comments about their lack of "faithfulness"?
"But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you agai