The Weaker Brother

In our common relationships with other believers: we are debtors to the weak in many things.
(1) Let us be watchful in the use of our liberty, and labour to be inoffensive in our behaviour. There is a commanding force in an example. Looseness of life is cruelty to us and to the souls of others.
(2) Let men take heed of taking up Satan's office, in misrepresenting the good actions of others, as he did in Job's case; 'Does Job fear God for naught?' (Job 1:9). The devil gets more by such discouragements and reproaches that are cast upon believers than by fire and faggot. These, as unseasonable frosts, nip all gracious inclinations in the bud. A Christian is a hallowed and a sacred thing, Christ's temple; and he that destroys his temple, him will Christ destroy (1 Cor. 3:17).
(3) Take heed, there is among Christians a bold censuring of others, while not considering their situations. Some will unchurch and unbrother in a passion. But ill humours do not alter true relations. We should not smite one another by hasty censures, especially in things of a secondary nature. Some things are as the mind of him that does them or does them not; for both may be unto the Lord. Christ, for the good motivations he sees in us, overlooks any ill in them, so far as not to lay it to our charge. Men must not be too curious in prying into the weaknesses of others. We should labour rather to see what they have that is for eternity, than the weakness which the Spirit of God will in time consume. Some think it is strength to not bear with the faults of the weaker Christian, but the truth is that the strongest are those readiest to bear with the infirmities of the weak. Where most holiness is, there is most moderation. We see in Christ a marvellous temper of absolute holiness, with great moderation. What would have become of our salvation, if he had stood his ground, and not stooped so low to us?

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 31-33 [35-36]
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