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.
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
We receive a beautiful invitation to approach God with confidence, knowing that our hearts have been cleansed and purified by His grace.
Cleansing
The imagery used here is striking – our hearts are “sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience,” and our bodies are “washed with pure water.”
This speaks to the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which cleanses us from sin and guilt.
Assurance
But it’s not just about being cleansed – it’s also about having “the full assurance that faith brings.”
We can come before God with a sincere heart, confident in the knowledge that our faith has been made complete through Christ’s work on our behalf.
Nearness
And because of this cleansing and assurance, we are invited to “draw near to God.”
No longer do we have to stand at a distance, separated by our sin and guilt. Through Christ, we can approach the very throne of grace with boldness, knowing that we are accepted and welcomed by our Heavenly Father.
This is the beauty of the gospel – that we can have a clean heart, a confident faith, and a close relationship with the One who created us.
So draw near, with sincere heart and full assurance, to the God who loves you and has made a way for you to be reconciled to Him.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Trap of People-Pleasing
In our pursuit of acceptance and validation, it’s easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing.
We can become consumed by the desire to win the approval of others, tailoring our words, actions, and even our beliefs to fit the expectations and preferences of those around us.
But this path is ultimately a dead end, leading us into a prison of conformity and inauthenticity.
Pursuit of God’s Approval
In contrast to the endless chase for human approval, there is a higher calling – the pursuit of God’s approval.
This is not about earning His favor through our own efforts or trying to impress Him with our accomplishments; it’s about aligning our hearts and lives with His will, seeking to honor Him in all that we do.
Freedom of Serving Christ
When we shift our focus from pleasing people to serving Christ, a remarkable thing happens: we experience true freedom.
No longer bound by the ever-changing demands and expectations of others, we find liberation in the knowledge that our identity and purpose are rooted in the unchanging love and acceptance of our Heavenly Father.
Living as Servants of Christ
Living as servants of Christ means embracing a life of radical obedience and surrender to His will.
It requires us to let go of our own agendas, ambitions, and desires for approval, and to instead seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else.
As you do this, you discover that His ways are not burdensome but life-giving, leading you into a deeper experience of joy, peace, and purpose.
The Bible verse we’re focusing on today is about accepting those whose faith is weaker than ours; an important reminder for all of us to show love and grace to others, regardless of whether we agree with them or not.
When we encounter people whose beliefs are different from our own, it can be tempting to argue with them and try to convince them to see things our way. But this verse reminds us to take a different approach.
Instead of getting into arguments over disputable matters, we should simply accept those who believe differently than we do.
This doesn’t mean that we should abandon our own beliefs or compromise on our convictions. Rather, it means that we should show respect and understanding to those whose beliefs differ from ours.
We should strive to create an atmosphere of love and acceptance, rather than one of division and disagreement.
At the same time, we should also be careful not to get bogged down in disputes over minor issues that are not central to our faith.
Instead, we should focus on the core principles of the Bible, such as love, forgiveness, and grace. These are the things that truly matter and that can bring us closer to God and to each other.
Romans 14:1 is a powerful reminder to accept those whose faith is weaker than ours and to avoid quarreling over disputable matters. Let us strive to show love and grace to all those we encounter, regardless of our differences.
Through our words and actions, may we build a more compassionate and understanding world.
