Building Up One Another

[Daily Devotional]

Building Up One Another 

     We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves. Rom. 15:1.  

     God does not want us to place ourselves upon the judgment seat and
judge each other. . . . When we see errors in others, let us remember that
we have faults graver, perhaps, in the sight of God than the fault we
condemn in our brother. Instead of publishing his defects, ask God to bless
him and to help him to overcome his error. Christ will approve of this
spirit and action, and will open the way for you to speak a word of wisdom
that will impart strength and help to him who is weak in the faith.  

     The work of building one another up in the most holy faith is a blessed
work, but the work of tearing down is a work full of bitterness and sorrow.
Christ identifies Himself with His suffering children, for He says,
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye
have done it unto me" (Matt. 25:40). . . . Every heart has its own sorrows
and disappointments, and we should seek to lighten one another's burdens by
manifesting the love of Jesus to those around us. If our conversation were
upon heaven and heavenly things, evil speaking would soon cease to have any
attraction for us. . . .  

     Instead of finding fault with others, let us be critical with
ourselves. The question with each one of us should be, Is my heart right
before God? Will this course of action glorify my Father which is in heaven?
If you have cherished a wrong spirit, let it be banished from the soul. It
is your duty to eradicate from your heart everything that is of a defiling
nature. Every root of bitterness should be plucked up, lest others be
contaminated by its baleful influence. Do not allow one poisonous plant to
remain in the soil of your heart. Root it out this very hour, and plant in
its stead the plant of love. Let Jesus be enshrined in the soul. Christ is
our example. He went about doing good. He lived to bless others. Love
beautified and ennobled all His actions, and we are commanded to follow in
His steps.  

>From That I May Know Him - Page 187