Our position on people weak in faith

(Audio: Spanish)

SUMMARY: In Romans 14 and 15, Paul talks about the position we should hold towards people who are weak in faith, those who are overly concerned about holiness and who think that any type of food can be contrary to what God wants. Paul calls on the stronger believers to have kindness and mercy towards those who are weaker and to not judge or condemn them. The priority in the Christian life is not to be a stumbling block in the process of sanctification of another brother or of a congregation or an unbeliever who is beginning to take his first steps in the ways of faith, but rather to be resources for them. Paul urges those who are strong to endure the infirmities of the weak and not to please themselves, instead, to reach out to others so that they can become firm and strong like us. This creates a church filled with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, His mercy, and His goodness, which will be protected from the devil.

When I look at and analyze the tone that the different Books of the Bible set, I always see that combination of love and mercy, and of holiness and integrity. The apostle Paul in his writings reflects that mysterious balance between these two extremes.

In Romans chapter 14 Paul talks about the position we have to hold towards people who are weak in faith. Paul is not referring only to people who have sinful tendencies or who struggle with different addictions, but in Romans 14 and 15 he is referring to those people who are weak because they are like finicky and very concerned about holiness, and who think that any type of food can be contrary to what God wants, they care a lot about the rites and the mechanical things of holiness.