“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).
17th century English Puritan, Richard Dent (not to be confused with former Chicago Bears defensive end, Richard Dent), wrote a little book entitled A Poor Man’s Pathway to Heaven. In it he describes a conversation between Theologus (Theologian), and his friend Philagathus (Lover of Good).
Theologos: Some of God’s dear children, in whom no doubt the inward work is truly and soundly wrought, yet are so troubled and encumbered with a crabbed and crooked nature, and so clogged with some master sin ; as some with anger, some with pride, some with covetousness, some with lusts, some one way, some another; all which breaking out in them, do so blemish them and their profession that they cannot so shine forth unto men as otherwise no doubt they would; and this is their wound, their grief, and their heart smart, and that which costeth them many a tear, and many a prayer: and yet can they not get the full victory over them, but still they are left in them, as the prickin the flesh, to humble them.
Philagathus: Yet love should cover a multitude of such infirmities in God’s children.
Theologos. It should do so indeed: but there is great want of love, even in the best; and the worst sort espying these infirmities, run upon them with open mouth and take upon them to condemn them utterly, and to judge their hearts, saying they be hypocrites, dissemblers, and there is none worse than they (i.e.. those who would thus judge a struggling brother.)
It’s good to remember that some of God’s children, for whatever reason, may be out of step with us—not as far along as we are consider ourselves to be. We should pray that we’ll not “run upon them with open mouths,” but that our love for them, like God’s, will cover a multitude of such infirmities."
David Roper
8.27.20
