God has a purpose as to why believers are to form the church, and are not left as individuals. There is much to do in this big church family. We are to love, serve, build, edify, pray and teach one another in the Lord. No one is strong or weak all the time. When we are strong, we are to bear the infirmities of the weak. Six things that we can do with the weak are:
1) put up with them (v 1): This is not an option. We are to endure patiently, that we may restore the weak. We are to sacrificially serve the Lord. In non-doctrinal matters, we must be willing to bear the infirmities of the weak.
2) to build up (v 2): To edify is to build up. Our lives must help others to grow, not destroy their lives. God is committed to building up His people (Isa 57:14). If we have been a hindrance, recognise that, and ask God to help transform us.
3) to look up (v 3, Ps 69:9): We can put up and build up only by looking up to Jesus. He came not to be ministered but to minister (Mk 10:45). He took our reproaches that He may bear them on our behalf, so that good can come upon us. For our sake, He was mocked, humiliated, crucified.
4) to grow up (v 4): We ourselves need to grow spiritually in order to bear one another's infirmities. Spending time with God’s Word (reading, memorising, studying, applying) will comfort us, give us hope in Christ and we can be changed to be more like Him.
5) to stand up together (v 5): We have the same Saviour and the same faith; hence we can have the same mind in Christ, regardless of our different personalities, strengths, weaknesses. We must be willing to stand up together. We need to pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit, that He may strengthen our new man, and that we may overcome sins and temptations. Personal, non-doctrinal differences must be set aside then we can be united.
6) to round up (v 6-7): We cannot be of one accord if we fail to glorify God in every area of our lives. When we are proud and uncaring, we will not bear the infirmities of the weak.
As a church, we need to grow in our Christlikeness. We need one another’s help to be strong. If there is a need to forgive and restore a broken relationship, let us not delay. When the whole church is united, the world will see that God is real. May God help us.
