Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. NASB

What does weak faith look like? Do you tie it to works as the scriptures indicate in James epistle? Is weak faith the same as little faith? Jesus said little faith can move mountains, that doesn’t sound weak. Is weak faith even a bad thing? Here Paul tells us to accept those of weak faith.

Paul goes on to warn us, do not judge them. Not their works, not their service, not their attendance, but rather Paul says do not judge their opinions. I cannot think of anything that will shut down a witness faster than to be judged or ridiculed by your own brothers and sisters in Christ.

Do you share your opinions without fear? Do you share them at all? When it comes to group meetings, do you hold back, not willing to share? Is weak faith a timid voice? No? Then what is weak faith? You do not have to go much further in Romans 14 to discover Paul’s meaning.

Romans 14:2b he who is weak eats vegetables only. NASB

Paul is talking about our spiritual understanding of the scriptures. We will have weak opinions if we have weak understanding. We know from Hebrews that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Your opinions may be weak because you do not right discern the Word of God.

Do we all need to be bible scholars and teachers? No. If we are to use the bible to regulate our lives, to give our lives meaning, purpose, and direction, then some level of understanding should be attained. That cannot be left to the responsibility of preachers and teachers, it is personal and tailored to who you are by God.

John 14:26b the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things

Isaiah 40:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

I was nineteen years old when I entered the Vietnam War. I knew the crippling effect of fear. I knew how you are more likely to make mistakes and possibly do something stupid when you are afraid. I learned to live with fear. I was wrong.

I have been fearful of my tax returns this year. I had this opinion that I was going to cough up some serious money come tax time. I thought that this was my problem, I thought it only affected me. I was wrong.

My wife, with love and grace, pointed out to me that my fears tainted every part of my life. It caused me to be overly cautious, protective, defensive, and clouded my judgments. It isn’t that I hurt anyone because of my doubts and fears, it is that I could have done more and been better in all the things I do.

Perhaps worst of all, the time spent worrying could have been better spent on positive activities. I could have served the Kingdom better, I could have been better to you. If I had believed Isaiah 40:10 I know that God could have done more. The right hand is the hand of power. The left hand is the hand of mercy and grace. I caused Him to hold me in the left hand because of my fear. I was wrong.

Psalm 139:23,24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

You don’t have to be wicked to be wrong.