March 16 – Bear With Others, Because God Bears With You

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1
“Considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
“Who are you to judge another’s servant?” Romans 14:4

Extraordinary quickenings and strengthenings, being often followed by particular temptations, conflicts, and sufferings, require a particular watchfulness, if we would be earnest not to provoke the Lord to visit us with sore punishments for our carelessness.

• Fear, therefore; rejoice with trembling; and, as a needful means to secure yourself from falling, temper your joy with humility and gentleness toward the faults of others.
• Be not high-minded; say not, when you observe the misconduct of others, “Nothing would tempt me to do as they have done”; for if God does not hold you up Himself, you will surely make greater mistakes.

Therefore you had better not look upon others — but upon yourself; and, for fear of falling, be continually watchful in prayer. A great many would not have fallen so deep, had they been truly humble and more charitable in judging of others. He who exalts himself above others and does not bear with the weak, is sometimes humbled and debased under the very weakest of all. Bear, therefore, since God bears with you.

• He who bears most with others shows the greatest strength.
• He that sympathizes most with the infirmities of others approaches most nearly the spirit of his Master.

O for the meek, the loving, the long-suffering spirit of Jesus, to conform me to His lovely image!

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)