At a time when acceptance means so much in helping the depressed and saving many from depression-induced suicide the church needs to examine its ways in the light of the word of God. Acceptance means you are valuable just as you are, and we need to dig deeper on what this means for us in fellowship. Here are a few questions:

Am I dealing with a mature believer whose acts can derail the faith of others? The following scriptures speak:

  1. Romans 14:13 (TPT)—So stop being critical and condemning of other believers, but instead determine to never deliberately cause a brother or sister to stumble and fall because of your actions (or set before them an obstacle or trap to make them stumble). This goes both ways, and is the point to judge! Romans 14:13 is underscored by Matthew 5:19a and Matthew 7:1-5; only in the former should correction be made, lest the person involved fall prey to the scripture in Matthew 18:1-11,
  2. Galatians 6:1-3 (TPT)—My beloved friends, if you see a believer who is overtaken with a fault, the one who is in the Spirit should seek to restore him in the Spirit of gentleness. But keep watch over your own heart so that you won’t be tempted to exalt yourself over him. Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles. If you think you are somebody too important to stoop down to help another (when really you are not), you are living in deception,
  3. Jude 20-23 (TPT)—But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit. Fasten your hearts to the love of God and receive the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gives us eternal life. Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts, and snatch others out of the fire to save them. Be merciful over and over to them, but always couple your mercy with the fear of God. Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh; and
  4. 1 Timothy 5:19-22 (TPT)—Refuse to listen to suspicious accusations against the pastors who lead the flock unless you have two or three witnesses to confirm the accusations. But if indeed you find that they have sinned, bring correction to them before the congregation so that the rest of the people will respect you.  Timothy, in the presence of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, and before the chosen messengers, I solemnly charge you to put into practice all these matters without bias, prejudice, or favoritism. Don’t be hasty to ordain them with the laying on of hands, or you may end up sharing in their guilt should they fall. Keep yourself pure and holy with your standards high.

Ponder on these deeply and evaluate how you have related to your brother who supposedly is a mature believer but is perceptively in the wrong? Remember the tenets of Jesus’ love, unconditionality and vulnerability to one another. Shalom.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele