You Are Not The Master Of Your Brothers Faith.

We are in no position to be over the faith of another, for if ones faith is not resting in Christ Jesus alone, it eventually falls into the hands of men and women who seek to mislead them for gain.

Romans 14:1/13

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

• How do you treat one who is new in their faith, or one who is struggling? We have been taught, unfortunately, that we have some sort of ‘ownership’ over the faith of another if we are either older than them or deeper in our faith. But this is not right, nor biblical. YES, we come alongside our new brothers and sisters, to encourage, pray for them and offer exhortation and edification. But we are NOT the Author and Finisher of their faith.

• We also have no right to condemn or criticize their walk if they happen to be in a season of stumbling and struggle. In fact, we are required to ‘love our fellow man as ourselves’ by ‘loving God with our entire being’, walking alongside them with encouragement and accountability that they may be able to learn and grow in the love of the truth (they will know you by your love for one another).

• When you see your brother or sister struggling, you are required to help them. Not always with needs, but most certainly with prayer, encouragement and pointing to the Savior for all things, that they may be able to find their strength in the SOURCE of their salvation.