“Stop Passing Judgment On One Another!”
The error of Christians today is that we take a firm stance and pass judgment on “disputable matters” concerning minute dietary issues, observance of holy days and other special days.
Anything that is disputable has not been established as a fact, and so open to question or debate.
On the one hand vegetarians condemn those who eat meat as if being a vegetarian is the guarantee of salvation. On the other hand those who eat everything look down on the others.
It is in this context that the writer of the letter to the Romans states that we should neither judge others nor should we look down on others because of our food stance or the (non)observance of holy days. God has blessed different regions of the world with different food varieties. And they are all edible. Around the world Christmas in celebrated on three different dates. That has nothing to do with salvation.
“…We will all stand before God’s judgment seat” and to him every knee will bow and every tongue confess. All Christians will be judged based on works. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad”(I Cor.5:10).
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put a stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way”(Rom.14:10-13).
Take home message:
Do not take a firm stance and make a generalised rule for minute issues that are disputable.
If you can eat everything because you are strong in faith, do not look down on those who do not.
If you eat only vegetables because you are weak in faith, do not condemn those who eat everything.
We will all stand before God’s judgment seat where each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Stop passing judgment on one another, do not cause others to falter on their quest for salvation.
However, let us continue to be one another’s keeper; exhorting, chastising, rebuking, correcting and helping each other whenever one is engaging in conduct that is sinful.
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me so that where I am strong I should lift up the weak, and where I am weak I should lean on the strong. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!