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. 

Daily Edition: Paul's Prayer

Walking in Darkness or Light?

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— ⁹ for the fruit of the light^[c] results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— ¹⁰ discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.
-Ephesians 5:8-11 (HCSB)


Yesterday, we talked about walking as Jesus walked, walking in the light of a right fellowship with God. Today, we'll look a little deeper.

Verse 8 says, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" Paul is saying that, at one time, we all walked in the darkness of sin. We were once sin, lived in the grip of sin. For the Christian, that is in the past. He says, "but now you are light in the Lord." For the Christian, there has been a change. You no longer walk in the darkness of sin. Rather, you walk in the light of the Lord. He then gives them an important command, "Walk as children of light." Since we are now walking in the light of God, we must walk like it. He says, in verses 9-10 what it means to walk in the light of God. "for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth-discerning what is pleasing to the Lord." To walk in the light means we walk in goodness, righteousness and truth. When we walk this way, we will know how to walk in a way pleasing to God. Finally, in verse 11, "Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them." Walking in goodness, righteousness and truth bears the fruit of the light of God. Walking in the darkness of sin bears fruitless works of sin. Paul says we must not participate in them. If we indulge in the fruitless works of sin, then we are not walking in the Light of the Lord. There is no grey area.

Friends, you are either walking in the darkness of sin, or the light of the Lord. There is no middle ground. What are you walking in today? Think About It. 

God Is Faithful

³ But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.
-2 Thessalonians 3:3 (HCSB)


I'm going to tell you something that you should already know. God is faithful. God didn't call you into a relationship with Him just to let you wander around aimlessly or to be harmed. What God led you into, He will see you through. That's what Paul is teaching this church.


2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, "But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one." All of us will face times of trial and struggles. It's part of our life. Yet, when that happens, God is faithful. When times of trials and struggles come into your life, don't think that God has left you out there all alone-God is faithful! Verses 1-2 of this chapter says, "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, ² and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith." Paul was asking this church for prayer. He was asking them for two specific things. First, that the message they were delivering would spread rapidly. Paul knew what he was called to do. Acts 9:15 says, "But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites." Paul was chosen by God to proclaim Jesus to the world. Paul knew that, and Paul wanted to fulfill God's calling on his life. He asked the church to pray that  this message would spread rapidly, so that more and more people come to Jesus. Second, Paul asked for prayer that "we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith." There are some people that will be hostile toward the preaching of Jesus. Some people will do as much to stop the preaching of Jesus, as others will to preach the name of Jesus. Paul, and his ministry team, needed prayer to keep on doing what God has called them to do. Then we read verse 3.


"But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one." The Lord is faithful. God is faithful at all times. Look at the rest of this verse. "He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one." God will give you the strength to continue in what He's called you to do, in spite of what satan does to sop it. Why? Because God is faithful. Paul met resistance in many places that he brought the Gospel to. Yet, God was faithful, and protected Paul from the fiery darts of satan. And God will do that for you. Why? Because God is faithful. Are you standing firm and strong in God? Or, have you allowed the fiery darts of satan to hinder the will of God in your life? Think About It.

Planting & Watering

⁶ I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
-First Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)


I've written quite a lot recently on the topic of faith and works. Of how the works we do either prove our faith in Jesus, or our lack of faith in Him. On Tuesday's Talkin' Scripture broadcast, we were talking about this topic. After the broadcast, I had a chat with a listener about how we plant the seeds, but it is up to God for the outcome. Then, it hit me. What is my motive for the works I do? I encourage you to explore that question. Why do you do what you do for the Lord? Is it truly out of faith and love for Jesus that you do the things He has called you to do?


The church at Corinth was a church that suffered from being immature. Verse 3 says, "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" There was envy, divisions and strife in the church. Those are some of the marks of the world, not what should be found in the church. In verses 4-5, Paul gives examples of the problems in the church. " For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? ⁵ Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?" The people of this church seemed to put Paul and Apollos on a pedestal, each one had followers. Instead, Paul pointed out that they, Paul and Apollos, were merely doing what God had called them to do. The church seemed to put more faith in the messenger than the message. Paul says in verses 6-8, "⁶ I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. ⁷ So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. ⁸ Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." Paul teaches them that the one who plants the seeds and the one that waters the seeds are one, they are unified in their mission to do what God has called them to do. Verse 8 says, "Now he that planteh and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we seeking our reward from God, or seeking praise from men? Think About It. 

Where's Your Focus?

 ⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
-Philippians 4:8 (KJV)


What are you thinking about right now? More specifically, what has had control of your thought pattern lately? Most, if not all, of us has something on our minds. Is it a financial matter? Maybe you're looking for employment? I don't know what is going on in your life, but I'm certain of one thing. You've got something on your mind. Here is the question for today: Is whatever on your mind taking the focus off of God and on to your circumstances? Wow, that's a tough one.


Paul writes in Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." This is important instructions that Paul is giving us here. We need to be focused on the things of Heaven, not the things on the earth. What does that word affection mean? It means, "a feeling of fondness or tenderness for a person or thing; attachment.*" We must have an attachment to the things of Heaven. We must be detached to the things of the earth. If your affection is set on God, then whatever is weighing on your mind right now is taking the place of God. Is your affection set on God, or is it set on your surroundings?


Paul writes, again, in Second Corinthians 4:18, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." The cares of this world, the things that bring us down are not permanent, they are temporary. While something may seem big right now, it really is a minuscule little matter. Paul says that we look not at the things that are seen (earthly matters), but instead, we focus on the things that are not seen (heavenly matters). If our affection is set on the things above, that is where our eyes will be looking. If our affection is set on the things of earth, that is where our eyes will be looking. Set your eyes to the things of Heaven, because that is eternal, while the things of earth are temporary. 


Finally, how can you set your affections of the things of Heaven? This brings us to the key verse for today, Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Look at the list that Paul tells us to think on. These qualities are not found in stories on the evening newscast. If we focus on, and think on, the things listed in this passage, we will be able to set our affection on things above. Are you ready to look above your circumstances? Think About It.
*source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/affection

Example of Faith

22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit[a] to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. 
-Acts 20:22-24(NLT)

One thing I've always admired about Paul was the he knew exactly what he was supposed to do in life. He knew the will of God for his life-and he did it. What a great example of faith.

Look at Paul's words in verses 22-24, "22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit[a] to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." Paul knew that tough times were ahead. But, he didn't back down from the task. Look closely at verse 24, "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." Paul was so focused on completing the task, completing his calling, that nothing else mattered. He says that if he don't finish the work God has given him, then his life is worth nothing. What was the task God has assigned Paul? To tell others about Good News of Jesus Christ. Paul wanted to complete the task. Imagine this, standing before God and not have completed the assignment. What a tragedy. Paul didn't want to experience that. Is your goal to complete the task God has given you.

Look at these words from Second Timothy 4:6-7: " ⁶ As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."(NLT)  Paul poured out his life into his calling. He lived his life for God. At the end he can say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." Will you be able to say those words? Are you on course to finish the race? Have you remained faithful to God in all times and circumstances? Think About It.