Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. Romans 14:14 KJV
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2 NIV).
In Romans 14, we see that the Jewish converts were being cautioned against judging.
That the Gentile believers were being warned against despising one another.
They were told, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister” (Romans 14:13 NIV).
That the temptations to elevate an opinion to the level of conviction can be strong.
But that in doing so, we are doing wrong.
The same warnings apply to each of our lives.
We let things in our surroundings affect our way of thinking, our beliefs, and our convictions.
We do it without considering the problems they may cause.
Those obstacles are the things that get in the way of a believer’s growth.
Even in the first century, there were religious traditions that were based on the law.
They were so important to the religious leaders.
But with all their traditions, they missed something.
They failed to really recognize the One who attributed to the human characteristics of the law.
It was because they were so focused on other matters.
The ones that were more important to them.
Instead of the most important One, Jesus.
He was the One that was showing them the right way to do things.
He is the One that desires us to live in love and peace.
The Scripture tells us that we need to bring under control even our beliefs and convictions to the law of love (Romans 13:8,10; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8 KJV).
A Love that helps with the improvement of our minds and our understanding.
He has told us, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3 KJV).
We are not to let our opinions and wants to become more important.
Nothing can take the place of what the Lord is telling us.
Nothing can take the place of what is written in the Word.
If we do, we are making idols out of our own beliefs.
It keeps us from obtaining the many blessings the Father has for us.
It causes others to feel that the Word has no true meaning.
The purpose of our lives is not to please ourselves.
Is not to sit in the judgement of others.
The Father is the One who sees all that we are doing.
He is the One that lets us know what we need to change.
To be the ones that set a positive example for those we meet in this lifetime.
In all we do we are to please God.
Let us search our hearts and life.
Humbling ourselves and not being quick to judge on another.
Letting nothing get in the way of our living the right way.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, You have told us that we are not to judge or despise one another. That we must give an account of all that we do. Help us to search our hearts and life to make the necessary changes that You know we need to make. Humbling ourselves and listening to what You are telling us. We want to follow Your ways so others will learn of Your compassionate love through us.
In Jesus’ Name We Pray, Amen