Judging Others

Paul now encourages us to receive those who are weak in the faith but not to doubtful disputations (14:1). If a person is weak in the faith, receive him, but don't get into any big arguments.

It's tragic that in some churches a Christian must prove himself before he's received into the fellowship. Paul tells us to accept all people, whether they're spiritually mature or babes in Christ.

Paul gives two examples of believers weak in the faith: those who refuse to eat meat and those who insist on a particular day of worship. These Christians don't have enough faith to trust in the Lord completely. They feel that their righteousness still depends on keeping certain ordinances. You should love them, but don't debate these issues with them.

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak in the faith eateth herbs [vegetables]. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him (14:2-3).

Different people have different convictions. A particular conviction may be good for one individual and wrong for another. God doesn't deal with us in the same ways, but meets us at our own levels. Some Christians have a strong conviction against going to public beaches and think that all Christians should avoid them. If going to a beach brings you problems of lust, then you shouldn't go. But you shouldn't set a universal Christian standard because of your own personal hang-up.

If God has convicted someone about eating meat, that person shouldn't eat meat. By the same token, he shouldn't assume that God has convicted everyone of the same thing and that anyone eating meat is a backslider. According to Paul, those who are weak in the faith eat vegetables; those who are strong in the faith eat anything. Paul said that all things are to be received with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). The New Testament prescribes no dietary restrictions as found in the Old Testament, and a Christian can eat pork or ham without violating any biblical precept.

If you have a strong conviction, don't judge those who lack it. Likewise, if you have no conviction, don't condemn those who are convicted. Simply accept and receive one another in love.

If you have an opinion on a Scripture that the rest of the church needs to know, then let them see how it works in your own life. As they see your belief conform you into the image of Christ, they'll be attracted to you. They'll approach you and ask questions. Then you'll have an opportunity to share your particular persuasion. Meanwhile, don't try to force your opinions on others or insist that they see things your way. The body of Christ needs to show greater latitude on these personal issues. Let's avoid divisions over the various ways we cross our 't's' and dot our 'i's'.

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth (14:4a). We're not to judge one another because we're not the master. Every Christian belongs to God and serves Him. You have no business judging another man's servant. His own master will judge him, and before his master a servant stands or falls.

Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand (14:4b). Many people thought that I would never make it through Bible college, because I liked to get into mischief. However, they underestimated the power of God. He has sustained me and will continue to do so.

One man esteemeth one day above another (14:5a). Basically, men have esteemed two days for worship: Sabbath day (the "seventh day," from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday), and Sunday (the first day of the week). Please note that the Sabbath doesn't fall on Sunday.

The Jews and some churches observe the Sabbath as the holy day of the week. Unfortunately, some of these churches condemn those who don't observe the Sabbath. At one time the Seventh-day Adventist church taught that worshiping on Sunday was the same as taking the mark of the beast and anyone with the mark of the beast had no hope of salvation. So, worshiping God on Sunday instead of on Saturday was condemning yourself to hell. I'm so thankful that God is broader than the narrowness of man. If our salvation was predicated on the concepts of man, none of us would make it. (Fortunately, the Seventh-day Adventist church has since modified its position.)

The Book of Acts records that Christians gathered to break bread on the first day of the week, Sunday (Acts 20:7). Paul told the Corinthians to bring their offerings together on the first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:2). Some of the early Church historians wrote about gathering to worship on Sunday. For example, Tertullian noted that many believers felt they should only break bread together on the first day of the week because Christ arose on that day.

Many who religiously observe the Sabbath claim that Sunday worship is linked with the Babylonian corruption of the Church during the time of Constantine. However, the practice of Sunday worship began long before Constantine.

Another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (14:5b). Some people regard Sunday as a holy day and so refrain from certain activities on that day. Others regard every day as a day of worship, and to them Sunday isn't above another day.

Personally, I consider every day alike. My wife wishes that I'd be more observant of birthdays and anniversaries, but I esteem every day as the Lord's day, and I do the Lord's business. I don't say, "Today is the Lord's day and the rest of the week is mine." All my days belong to Him.

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord (14:6a). If you regard the Sabbath day, you're regarding it unto the Lord. And he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it (14:6b). If you don't regard a particular day, then you're regarding every day as unto the Lord.

He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks (14:6c). Whether we eat meat or abstain from meat and eat vegetables, we thank God for our food.

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself (14:7). We all have an influence on other people. We don't live in isolation chambers.

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (14:8-10).

We're not to judge one another. To "set at nought thy brother" is to declare that he isn't a Christian because of what he does. "He can't be a Christian because he worships on Sunday instead of on the Sabbath." We shouldn't judge our brothers, because one day we'll all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body... whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10). As we stand before Jesus Christ to be judged, the standard by which we'll be judged is the same we use to judge others. He told us, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged" (Matthew 7:1-2).

A Christian is never under any condemnation. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1a). However, several types of judgments are found in the Scriptures. There is the believer's self-judgment. Paul tells us to examine ourselves when we come to the Lord's table. "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (I Corinthians 11:31).

There will also be the judgment of the believer before the judgment seat of Christ (14:10b). This is the bema seat, equivalent to the judge's seat in the Olympic Games. After each game, the winners came before the judge's seat to receive crowns for first, second, and third places. Likewise, the Christian's works will be tested by fire, and he'll be rewarded for those which remain. If the fire consumes all his works, he won't receive a reward, but he'll be saved "yet so as by fire" (I Corinthians 3:15). The judgment seat of Christ is only concerned with a Christian's rewards and position in the kingdom, not with his salvation.

The Lord will judge our works by our motives. What motivates us to serve the Lord? Are we looking for recognition from men? Jesus said, "Take heed that ye do not your alms [acts of righteousness] before men, to be seen of them" (Matthew 6:1a). If your motive is to be seen of man, then Jesus said, "You have your reward" (Matthew 6:2). Unfortunately, the praises of men are a powerful motivation, and much Christian work is done for such psychological reasons.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God (14:11). Paul also quotes this verse from Isaiah 45:23 in Philippians. Christ emptied himself and was "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:8b-11).

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (14:12). All will give an account of themselves before God. I'll be responsible for the things that I've done, and you'll be responsible for what you've done. I won't account for you, nor will you account for me.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way (14:13). We stumble a weaker brother by flaunting our freedom in Christ before him. He may be emboldened to follow our example. Yet when he does, he offends his own conscience and is thereby stumbled. Let's do everything possible to avoid stumbling our brothers.

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean (14:14). That's a powerful statement. Paul knows that nothing of itself is unclean. He could eat pork without any pangs of conscience. Jesus said, "It isn't what goes into a man's mouth that defiles a man" (Matthew 15:17-20).

Peter saw a sheet come down from heaven with both clean and unclean animals. The Lord said, "Rise, Peter. Kill and eat" He replied, "Lord, I've never eaten any unclean food". Jesus said, "Don't call that unclean which I have cleansed." This happened to Peter three times (Acts 10:9-16). Though the main significance of the vision was that the Gospel would be preached to the Gentiles, it also showed that nothing is unclean of itself. All things are to "be received with thanksgiving" (I Timothy 4:4).

Still, if I consider something to be unclean, then for me it is unclean. Why? Because my relationship to God is based upon faith.

Many things can hinder my faith, and one of the greatest hindrances is sin. Satan uses my sins to accuse me, condemn me, and keep me from those things God wants to give me. Satan points out my failures and weaknesses, claiming that I'm worthless in God's sight. Since I've been conditioned to believe that good boys are rewarded and bad boys are punished, it's difficult to believe that God would bless me unless I deserve it. Yet, God doesn't bless me on the basis of my goodness. He blesses me on the basis of His grace and love for me.

If I believe something to be true, then to me it becomes true. If I believe that God can't bless me because of my conduct, then I can't be blessed of God. Unfortunately, some people regard God's blessings as approval for all their actions, and that's dangerous. If God blesses me, He does so on the basis of my belief in Him, and I'm receiving by faith. God doesn't withhold His blessings from me every time I fail or stumble, but neither do His blessings necessarily mean He approves of my lifestyle.

Sadly, there's been a great deal of preaching against so-called unclean things. In some circles a person's salvation is questioned if he smokes cigarettes. A Christian can smoke cigarettes or even cigars and not affect his relationship with God in the least. Despite this truth, many people are lost due to their cigarette habit. They've tried to give up smoking, but failed. Because they've been taught that they can't be Christians as long as they smoke, they don't believe that God has washed and cleansed them from their sins. Thus, their belief becomes a tragic reality.

One day a man came to me and said, "Chuck, I'd like to be a Christian. I believe in God and I'd love to go to church. But I need a can of beer when I get home. I work hard and it relaxes me." I asked him, "Who told you that you couldn't have a can of beer?" This man had a conviction against beer and considered it unclean. It kept him from true fellowship with God and from attending church. The Lord doesn't demand that we clean up our lives before coming to Him. He invites us to come just as we are - ungodly, unrighteous sinners. He accepts us as we are, then begins His work of transforming us into His image.

The Bible teaches us to be moderate in all things, and there are limits to our liberty. We shouldn't exercise our liberty so it brings us into bondage. A fellow who needs beer just to relax isn't a free person, even if a Christian. Anytime you're under the power of a thing, you're no longer free. Some people are under the control of a sport, such a surfing, water-skiing, or tennis. They go out to surf, but if the waves are small their day is ruined. Instead, I say, "Praise the Lord! Let's go jogging!" I love my freedom in Jesus Christ, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat [freedom], now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died (14:15). Paul gives us an important rule here. You have your freedom, but don't exercise it in front of a weak brother and stumble him. The work of Christ can be negated in an immature believer when you flaunt your freedom before him.

Let not then your good be evil spoken of (14:16). You're free to do many things. However, others may not understand this and will speak evil of you, because you're boasting of your liberty.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink (14:17a). The kingdom of God isn't a matter of what you can or cannot eat. Unfortunately, the rules of eating and drinking have become a major issue of the kingdom. But the kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (14:17b). Christians who are hung up about eating and drinking are roaming in the spiritual wilderness. They haven't entered the real kingdom, the fullness of God's Spirit with His glorious peace and joy.

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men (14:18). God accepts you and men approve of you when you walk in the Spirit, filled with the peace and joy of God. Instead of stumbling people, you're a blessing to them.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify [build up] another (14:19). Let's do things that bring us together as a body rather than divide us. Let's build up one another in the faith, especially the weaker brethren.

For meat destroy not the work of God (14:20a). Because you feel free to eat pork chops, don't destroy the work of God in some sensitive fellow, such as a Seventh-day Adventist who may be a vegetarian. He's also a Christian and loves the Lord. Don't argue with him about eating meat.

I have some wonderful Seventh-day Adventist friends, including a dentist who would take advantage of me. He'd get me in the chair, prop open my mouth with hardware, and then talk to me. I listened because I had to. I still respect his opinion and consider him a friend to this day. I accept him as a Christian brother, though I don't share his views. I expect to see him in heaven, but I think he'll be surprised to see me there!

All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence (14:20b). You can do a right thing in a wrong way. Your action may be all right, but you can do it offensively, and that is an act of evil. You're destroying the work of Christ in a person instead of building him up in love.

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak (14:21). If certain things offend or weaken my brother, I won't do them in front of him. Christian love causes me to live with more restraint than my own convictions demand. I gladly deny myself so as not to offend or stumble a weaker brother.

Hast thou faith [faith to eat meat without a guilty conscience]? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth (14:22). You're a happy man when your heart doesn't condemn you. Liberty in Christ has set you free from all bondage.

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (14:23). It's wrong to talk someone out of his convictions. When a person is pressured to act against his convictions, he feels condemned before God. His conscience will whip him, and Satan will take full advantage of his feelings. He'll try to make the weaker brother feel alienated from God. Be wary of becoming an unwitting tool in Satan's hands by urging a brother to act against his convictions. Let everyone serve God according to his own measure of faith.