The freedom not to judge!

Scripture Read: Romans 14:1-10 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Application: The greatest cause for harshness and lack of real spiritual maturity is how we handle liberty issues and legalism. Legalism is what filled the hearts of the “seminarians” that called for Christ’s death. The Pharisees were so full of pride they could not see their own sinfulness. Are we called to judge in anyway what others in the Body do? Consider …

Judge - κρίνω krínō -To separate, distinguish, discriminate between good and evil, select, choose out the good. In the NT, it means to judge, to form or give an opinion after separating and considering the particulars of a case. This does not imply flabby indifference to the moral condition of others nor the blind renunciation of attempts at a true and serious appraisal of those with whom we have to live. What is unconditionally demanded is that such evaluations should be subject to the certainty that God’s judgment falls also on those who judge, so that superiority, hardness and blindness to one’s own faults are excluded, and a readiness to forgive and to intercede is safeguarded. The emphatic way in which Jesus extended the law of love in this direction has far-reaching consequences. It means that the Church cannot practice discipline with merciless severity (2 Cor. 11:24). It means that the Church cannot take up a hard, contemptuous and supercilious attitude towards those whom it regards as sinners. It means that Church discipline must make predominant, if not exclusive, use of means which promote edification and pastoral care. Precisely the unreserved seriousness with which the community takes the concept of judgment in the Gospel is that which enables it to overcome a mere legalism in its religious and moral life.^[1]

The context of judge is really key. We are to discern right from wrong, without attributing motives. We are also to spend most of that energy looking at our own heart, not everyone else. Obviously when black and white sin is committed in the church, leaders need to take proper, Biblical action in love and hope of restoration. The issue that constantly is abused is liberty and this is where the greatest chance for real maturity exists. This is the stress in real liberty. The person that can enjoy a particular freedom should not feel lifted up or more spiritual,  if they feel they are, then that exposes they are not! Yet the person that cannot in good conscience participate is an issue of freedom should not look down on the one that can participate, and think themselves more spiritual, if they do feel that way, they are not! We are to stand firm on what is right and wrong with the black and white God has given us from His Word! Yet, even then we cannot attribute motives. When it comes to liberty though, there should be no agenda – this is a true mark of maturity – it is between God and that fellow believer. – and we should  respect everyone else with their conscience before God. Thanks for this freedom Dad! Uou truly are incredible with the liberties You have offered all of us as Your children!

* Meditation Questions: What do I think is the difference between black & white teachings and liberty teachings? What do I feel when I see someone sin? What do I feel I see someone do something I think is wrong? What do I feel when I see someone not doing what I think they should be doing?

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^[1]Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964-c1976 (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (3:939). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.