Jesus said in Matthew 12:20: "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out." Do you hear the gentleness of Jesus in those words? This Jesus says of those who have little faith, and His words deal gently with their struggle. Since Jesus deals gently with those with weak faith, should we not also? Romans 14:1 says "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters." And now I Thessalonians 5:14: "Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." There is none without sin, without moments of doubt and faithlessness and distrust - however much we grow in the Christian life, such struggles remain.
Young Christians, immature Christians, erring Christians, they really need our gentleness to correct, direct and encourage them in their spiritual journey so they may grow to maturity in Christ. Jesus said He would not snuff out such weal and struggling Christians - so why would we. Let us be sure that we are building up one another in the faith, encouraging one another ever onward toward Christ-likeness.
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