In an earthly family, small children often do not understand why they are told to do something or not do something. They do not have the wisdom and maturity that comes with age. We love our children and teach and train them so that they can grow to be mature adults. In the spiritual family, there are often believers who are weak in the faith, who have different levels of spiritual maturity and even different beliefs and understandings of the scriptures. There too, we love them and bear with them so that they may grow up to be strong Christians with spiritual maturity.
The writer of Hebrews was critical of his audience because they did not have the maturity they should have. Hebrews 5:12-14 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
You are instructed to receive the one who lacks spiritual maturity or is weak in the faith. Romans 14:1 “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” There are some matters for which there is not crystal clear instruction in the scriptures. One person has one understanding and another has a different understanding. These are disputable matters. In Romans chapter 14, we are given two examples of such matters: what one eats and observance of special days. These were issues with the first century church. Today there are likely to be other issues. The guidance is applicable for all such matters. Romans 14:2-6 “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.” In areas of doubt or disputable things, we are given instruction. Do not despise or judge the one who has a different belief. To his own master (God) he stands or falls and God is able to make him stand. Romans 14:13 “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.” Romans 14:22 “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”
The conclusion is that you are to bear with those who are weak and not please yourself. Romans 15:1-6 “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’ For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I encourage you to accept your Christian brother and seek to please him for his good, leading to edification, so that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.