The antidote to judging is love - the kind of selfless, sacrificial love modeled by Jesus Himself.
As Christians, we’re called to love one another deeply and wholeheartedly. However, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of judging and criticizing our brothers and sisters in Christ. Romans 14:13 warns us about this tendency:
“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.”
Judging others not only goes against God’s command to love, but it also creates division and stumbling blocks within the church.
When we criticize and look down on fellow believers, we damage the unity of the Body of Christ.
Root of Judgement
At the heart of judging lies pride and self-righteousness. We convince ourselves that we have it all figured out, that our way is the right way.
But the truth is, we’re all imperfect and in need of God’s grace. Who are we to judge another person’s walk with the Lord?
Instead of dwelling on others’ faults and shortcomings, we need to examine our own hearts and motives. Are we acting out of love and humility, or are we elevating ourselves above others?
Promoting Unity Through Love
The antidote to judging is love – the kind of selfless, sacrificial love modeled by Jesus Himself.
When we truly love our brothers and sisters, we extend grace, acceptance, and understanding. We don’t nit-pick or tear them down; instead, we build them up and spur them on in their faith.
Rather than creating obstacles, we remove them by fostering an environment of love and support. We celebrate our diversity and different perspectives, recognizing that we’re all part of the same body with unique roles and gifts.
Building Up the Church
As members of Christ’s church, our calling is to encourage and uplift one another, not to judge and divide. Let’s commit to putting Romans 14:13 into practice by:
Checking our hearts for prideful judgement towards others
Extending grace, acceptance, and love to all believers
Promoting unity by removing stumbling blocks and obstacles
Building up the body of Christ through encouragement and support
When we love one another wholeheartedly, without judgement or condemnation, we reflect the love of Christ to the world around us.
Let’s be known as a people of love, not judgement, and watch as God’s spirit of unity transforms His church.
