February 11th, 2016
Today’s reading: Genesis 44; Mark 14; Job 10; Romans 14
Throughout the Bible we are told, warned and even rebuked not to judge others. Here in Romans chapter 14 we are again commanded not to judge our fellows. This time Apostle Paul takes a logical approach as to explaining our deficiency in ability to judge others. It is almost as if he hopes to stop us from even going there. Telling us “you will fail at it, let me explain.”
Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. -Romans:14:4
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. -Romans:14:13-14
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. -Romans:14:17
For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. -Romans:14:23b
C.S Lewis puts it this way:
That is why Christians are told not to judge others. We see only the results which a man’s choices make out of his raw material. But God does not judge him on the raw material at all, but on what he has done with it.
The truth here is, in my estimation, that we were not built to weigh how the Spirit’s call applies to another and therefore are not capable of judging another. The Spirit moves in one direction but calls out to those in many places. These places are not physical but spiritual and so we, only perceiving the physical of another, can not judge. God may we realize this truth and may it serve as a deterrent to save us, so that we might be forgiven.
Further study: consider how this truth also applies comparison and jealousy.