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b'Imagine for a moment you were caring for a newborn baby, and then, the day after their birth, you just expected them to be able to walk. That would be ridiculous, right? Babies can\\u2019t do everything right away when they\\u2019re born. They grow up gradually, learning a little at a time.\\n\\n\\n\\nIt\\u2019s the same way with Christians. The Holy Spirit helps us grow in our faith throughout our whole lives. As we go to church, read the Bible, pray, and spend time with other Christians, we learn more about Jesus and how to live the way He calls us to. And one of the ways Jesus calls us to follow Him is by being patient with others, not giving up on people but encouraging them.\\n\\n\\n\\nSometimes, we as the body of Christ are less than kind to baby Christians\\u2014 siblings in Christ who have only recently put their trust in Jesus and been \\u201cborn again\\u201d into God\\u2019s family (John 3:1-17). If we\\u2019ve grown up in the church and trusted Jesus since we were little, we sometimes expect new Christians to immediately act as though they\\u2019ve been walking with the Lord for many years. And, when we see them struggling with sin, sometimes we slightly-older siblings fall for a certain temptation: criticizing our younger siblings rather than encouraging them and praying with and for them.\\n\\n\\n\\nSo today, if we feel we should point out to someone that they\\u2019re not acting in a way that fits with who they are in Jesus, let\\u2019s do it in a loving way. After all, none of us are perfect! We all struggle with sin, and we all need the grace of Jesus. As we remember the love Jesus has shown both to us and to our siblings, we can build each other up as He helps all of us grow. \\u2022 A. W. Smith\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 Who are some people that have helped you grow in your walk with Jesus? What were some of the things they said or did\\u2014or didn\\u2019t say or do\\u2014that were especially valuable to you?\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 As Christians, we and our fellow siblings in Christ all struggle with sin, and we are all beloved by God, no matter how long we\\u2019ve been Christians. How can resting in this truth help us treat each other with kindness?\\n\\n\\n\\nEncourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14b (NLT)\\xa0\\n\\n\\n\\nREAD: EPHESIANS 4:1-16; PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6, 9-11'