Our human nature delights to use our own strength for our own purposes (Luke 12:16-21). This includes our abilities, possessions, relationships and even the spiritual understanding we treasure. However, Paul taught the church in Rome that strength is best expressed in service of people who are weak, as Jesus did (Matthew 20:25-28).
Serving other people does not only mean doing things for them or meeting their needs (Galatians 6:2), but also being patient with them – loving them, teaching them and praying for them that they will understand and desire God’s salvation and His will for their lives (Colossians 1:9-13). “Bearing with the failings of the weak” does not mean condoning or encouraging sin, but giving them safe space to work through their struggles in a godly way. That is how God is towards us (2 Peter 3:9), patiently waiting for our wholehearted devotion.
God places an obligation on those who believe in Christ not to despise those who are struggling spiritually, but rather to support them. That was true of the Lord Jesus: in order that we might be rescued from our shameful and hopeless lifestyles, He allowed Himself to be the Suffering Servant, even though people did not understand Him and insulted Him (Isaiah 53:3).
Let us be very careful to consider how our actions and attitudes may either build up another believer in their faith or cause them to fall. Patience (this is expressed by two words in the Greek: long + wrath) does not condone what is wrong or support what is false. However, patience is God's gracious quality of giving us time and opportunity to understand, repent, and reform. If God is like that with us, should we also not be divinely patient with others?
