I have a confession to make. I used to look down on other people that called themselves believers and didn’t believe the way I did. I wouldn’t even consider them believers! The problem is that is totally contrary to God’s teaching.
Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. Romans 14:1 (NLT)
Thankfully, I dealt with that issue. The danger though is people that call themselves “believers” and then have beliefs that totally contradict God’s Word. This is not what this passage is talking about.
For example, if a believer in Christ chooses to have a glass of wine, who are we to say he is “bad, back-slidden, etc.” and try to argue with them about it? On the other hand, if a professing believer in Christ engages in “sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these,” (Galatians 5:19-21) there is certainly room for discussion!
Having been a youth pastor for many years now, I have learned to “pick my battles.” Dressing in all black doesn’t seem to be up there with sexual immorality. Loud music in a style that isn’t my favorite didn’t make the list of “thou shalt nots.”
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. Ephesians 4:2 - 6 (NLT)
SEEK FIRST THE
