<p>The Apostle Paul wrote, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves" (<span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+15:1">Romans 15:1</span>). He thus plainly accepts the fact that there will be infirm persons among the believing members of the spiritual community we call the local church. He tells us to bear them, or bear with them in their weakness. </p><p>Now who are the infirm persons in the church" How can we identify them" Not how can we find them, for they are sure to be easiest of all persons to find. Their very infirmities make them conspicuous. The infirm brother is the one who has painful conscientious scruples about foods (<span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+14:1-2">Romans 14:1-2</span>); or he has deep convictions about certain holy days (<span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+14:5-6">Romans 14:5-6</span>); or his grasp of gospel truth is weak, and he is forced to support himself by various crutches which he may have found in some religious attic. To him these scruples are sacred; consequently, he is likely to try to force them upon everyone else, and in doing so he is pretty sure to make very much of a nuisance of himself. That is where the "strong" Christian gets opportunity to give his patience a workout. He dare not dismiss the overheated brother; he must bear with him in love, knowing that he too is of the company of the redeemed.</p><p></p><p>
</p>

A.W. Tozer's materials are a mainstay in Evangelical churches in our day and he is one of the most quoted authors. He was a prophet in his day and his writings are even more influential in our day. One of his books: The Pursuit of God, has had over 1 million copies sold world-wide.

Morning and Evening with A.W. Tozer

Putting Up With the Weaknesses of Others

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:12-24">1 Thessalonians 5:12-24</span></span></p><p>Now that we have spent a few days meditating on the fact that the Beatitudes provide us with the right mental and spiritual attitudes for healthy and abundant living, we are ready to begin focusing on the first of these profound statements: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="mt+5:3">Matthew 5:3</span>). Some translations read, "Happy are the poor in spirit '", and one goes so far as to say, "Congratulations to the poor in spirit '" It is important to keep in mind that the word "happy" (Greek makarios) carries a far richer tone than we commonly attach to the word. It suggests a deep, abiding happiness, not just a temporary emotional lift. In the very first words of the Sermon on the Mount, therefore, Jesus puts His finger on one of life's most vital issues - individual and personal happiness. We all want to be happy - and rightly so. The longing for lasting happiness is a deep-rooted instinct that has been built into us by the Creator Himself. The God who made the sunset, painted the rose, put the smile on a baby's face, gave the gift of playfulness to a kitten and put laughter in our souls is surely not happy when we are unhappy. Although it is a God-given instinct to be happy, we must also see that it is only God who can make us happy. Apart from Him and His redemptive love as expressed through the cross and the resurrection, we would be "most miserable"  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+15:19">1 Corinthians 15:19</span>, AV). As someone once confessed: "Now that I know Christ, I'm happier when I'm sad than before when I was glad." </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Thank You, my Father, that You not only command me to be happy but provide me with the resources which make it gloriously possible. One touch of Your gladness and my heart sings for ever. I am so deeply, deeply thankful. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+14:1-18">Romans 14:1-18</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="isa+12:3">Isaiah 12:3</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+16:24">John 16:24</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1pe+1:8">1 Peter 1:8</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What is the kingdom of God?</li><li>What is this joy full of?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"Be happy ' at all times." (v. 16, Phillips)

<p> <sup class="verse-number">2</sup> For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.</p>

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Romans 14:2

 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

In 1604, King James I of England authorized that a new translation of the Bible into English be started. It was finished in 1611, just 85 years after the first translation of the New Testament into English appeared (Tyndale, 1526). The Authorized Version, or King James Version, quickly became the standard for English-speaking Protestants. Its flowing language and prose rhythm has had a profound influence on the literature of the past 400 years. The King James Version present on the Bible Gateway matches the 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States.

OT: Masoretic Text, some LXX and Vulgate influence.
NT: Textus Receptus, similar to the Byzantine text-type; some readings derived from the Vulgate.
Apocrypha: Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate.

Romans 14:2 KJV

Romans 14:2 KJV

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