I heard a message a few weeks ago from the scripture that says, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves (Ro 15:1). The speaker expressed the responsibility of those who are strong to those who are weak, but failed –as many who speak on this scripture do- to hold the weak accountable for strengthening themselves.
As I write this, I can hear my mother’s voice telling me, ‘You’re too hard on people.’ I also hear Jesus Christ saying, ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you’ (Mt 7:12). And I recognize weakness as a state that can be changed by a person who is willing to strengthen him or herself. (And how much better if there’s someone there to help?!) The Holy Bible tells us that we can identify friend from foe by how they treat us when we’re wrong. Basically, a friend will tell the truth, regardless of the initial consequence, but an enemy will flatter you to save face and to ensure that they’re in good standing (Pr 27:6). It’s important for us to be familiar with the truth in order to recognize it in a necessary rebuke, versus the lies of flattery. A pity party benefits no one!
The Bible encourages gentle correction and acting in love; however, there are also cases (usually when a person knows better or have been warned before) when a stronger approach should be taken (Gal 6:1; 2Ti 2:25; 4:2; Mt 18:15-20; 21:12-13). I think it takes a truly discerning person to know what approach to take at a given time. And a very important questions to ask yourself before speaking or acting is, What’s my motivation, what do I intend to accomplish, what message am I trying to send, etc?
The strong should be tolerant of the weak, but not of their weakness. Again, weakness is a state. The strong have been weak, but are weak no longer. When I was in boot camp, I came in obviously fat and out of shape, never having engaged in athletic pursuits or consistent exercise previously. And that made no difference to a drill instructor of mine who’s job it was to ensure that I was in shape, so that the platoon, Marine Corps, and country would be stronger. Instead of allowing me to walk during physical training, he would go back and make me grab his belt and take off in order to quicken my pace. With this, I basically had a choice to react in one of two ways: get upset with him, insist that I couldn’t do it, refuse to grab the belt, and stay weak, OR realize that he didn’t get fast by quitting or lagging, grab the belt, push through the pain, get stronger, and appreciate him for giving me the opportunity to strengthen myself. Just as he had his responsibility and someone to answer to, I did as well.
When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him (Mt 8:14-15). Likewise, those who have been redeemed should not only say so, but also act accordingly. Notice, Peter’s mother-in-law didn’t drag and excuse herself from service to Christ by whining about just having a fever. After she was healed, she did what she was moved to do, which was serve the man who had healed her. Surely, a sick person can’t do all that a person who’s well can. And a baby can’t do all that a teenager can, just as a new convert can’t do all that a more mature believer can. But if God blesses you with the ability to do so (and he all blesses us in one way or another) we should serve him (1Co 12:1-11).
Don’t be dead weight. It makes the body work so hard that it’s not as affective as it could be. Strengthen the body (1Co 12:12-31; Eph 4:1-16). Remember, the time will come for the wheat to be gathered, and the chaff to be burnt (Mt 3:12).
