The apostle Paul warned early believers against passing judgment on other Christians in matters not central to the faith. He also reminded them of whose job it is to judge in these matters – the Lord. He also emphasized that the person on whom they passed judgment belonged to the Lord – that person was HIS servant. Paul then asked them (and us): What right does anyone have to pass judgment on a person for whom Christ died and who is also a servant who belongs to the Lord? (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:11) Unfortunately, the evil one makes it easy for us to find fault and pass judgment on others about something nonessential while never dealing with the obvious sin in our own lives. We must not judge other believers in matters that are not central to the faith. We will answer to God for our sin and our judgmentalism. Jesus warned that the harshness we use to judge others will be the harshness the Lord will use with us on judgment day (Matthew 7:2). That’s sobering, and a reminder to not judge each other.
We’ve included Phil’s ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:
Father, please forgive me. I confess that I have wrongly passed judgment on others when I had no right or authority to do so. I know Jesus died to redeem them and want to use them for your glory. I know you love them and have a plan for each of them. I know that I have things wrong in my own life. Please redeem my heart and use me to be an encouragement, never a stumbling block, to your precious, blood-bought children. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
