Don't Judge

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

² For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

³ Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

-Romans 14:1-4 (KJV)

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. ² For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. ³ Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
-Romans 14:1-4 (NLT)

The topic of us judging one another is a hot topic for many people. It seems that many of us want to be the "judge and jury" of everyone but ourselves. We want to take what we interpret from the Bible and judge everyone else by our standards. The fact remains, that we must not judge others. I posted that in a post from last week, which you can read here. Today, I want us to focus a little more on this topic.

Paul says in Romans 14:1, "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations." Apparently there was a division in the church in Rome about what is proper to eat and not eat. That was something that people in the church argued about. Paul tells them, "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye," He is telling them to receive those of the faith, even those who have a weak faith. Many churches, today, don't leave room for those who are weak in the faith, they don't nurture them in the faith. Instead, the church causes those who are weak to stumble. The rest of verse 1 says, "and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong." When we get into arguments about what is right and wrong, that is where judgmental attitudes surface. Paul gives an example in verses 2-3. 

"For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. ³ Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." Paul's example is simple. Many people in his time felt they should only eat vegetables. That's what God gave to Adam and Eve in the garden. (Gen. 1:29). But others, felt it was all right to eat meat. Remember Peter's vision in Acts 10:9-16? So, Paul is telling them, in verse 3, "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." This is the principle of judging others. 

There are many things that cause division in the church, and if we applied Paul's teaching, I think many of those divisions would cease. Tomorrow, we're going to look at, what I think, is an antidote to judgement. Think About It.