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Paul's second admonition is that we Christians edify, or build each other up. We don't simply let weak Christians remain weak. It's all part of brotherly love.
Christians affect each other: We can cause others to stumble, we can grieve others, and even destroy others. Speaking of how strong Christians can affect weak Christians, "he pointed out that knowledge and love must work together ... The strong Christian has spiritual knowledge, but if he does not practice love, his knowledge will hurt the weak Christian. Knowledge must be balanced by love," my commentary said.
Christians must have priorities: "Like the Pharisees of old, we Christians have a way of majoring on the minor things ... If each believer would yield to the Spirit and major in a godly life, we would have have Christians fighting with each other over minor matters. Spiritual priorities are essential to harmony in the church."
Christians must help each other grow: ""Both the strong believer and the weak believer need to grow. The strong believer needs to grow in love; the weak believer needs to grow in knowledge. So long as a brother is weak in the faith, we must lovingly deal with him in his immaturity. But if we really love him, we will help him to grow ... The older Christians must exercise love and patience and be careful not to cause them to stumble ... The weak must learn from the strong, and the strong must love the weak."
Christians must not force their opinions on others: "There are certain truths that all Christians must accept because they are the foundation for the faith. But areas of honest disagreement must not be made a test of fellowship. If you have a sincere conviction from God about a matter, keep it to yourself and do not try to force everybody else to accept it."
Father, help me to know which convictions I hold are foundational and which are areas of honest disagreement, so that I will not sin against my brother by failing to love him with brotherly love.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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