| Photo by Guillaume De Germain on Unsplash
There is a danger to criticism, but there is help when we communicate. How easy is it for us to criticize new believers? How many of us are quick to criticize others, but we are not willing to communicate, listen, and help a new believer?
Romans 14:1 – “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right and wrong.”
We need to accept other believers who are weak in faith. This is referring to those who are new believers and have not been discipled as followers of Christ. The Church can be critical of them, and they should know all the rules of being a follower of Jesus. Instead of criticizing a new believer, why not communicate with them by developing a relationship, discussing the Bible with them, and helping them on their spiritual journey?
That is why we have first steps here at ICC: communicating with people what it means to be a follower of Jesus. I am thankful for people who helped me on my spiritual journey when I was a new believer.
We need to learn to talk to one another, not just texting or emailing people, but going out for a cup of coffee and sitting down and developing a relationship with someone, and then ask the Lord for wisdom on how to communicate with them so that they know that we love them and that we can walk with them in this spiritual journey!
Today, help me not to criticize, but learn to communicate with people who are growing in their spiritual journey, and to communicate with people who need Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and from significant emotional experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.
