Romans 14:13 - Let God Be The Judge.
Romans 14:13 (NKJV) Therefore let us not
judge one another anymore, but rather resolve
this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to
fall in our brother's way.
Romans 14:13 (NIV) 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.
Romans 14:13 (NLT) So lets stop
condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a
way that you will not cause another believer to
stumble and fall.
Romans 14:13 (AMP) Then let us no more
criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another,
but rather decide and endeavor never to put a
stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the
way of a brother.
COMMENTARY PEARL
When I became a Christian, I stopped
listening to certain music to avoid unhelpful
temptations. I stopped wearing certain clothes to avoid
attention I no longer wanted. I quit drinking. I
stopped going certain places and socializing with
certain people. My new behavior was partly a new
believer's zeal, partly wisdom, and partly genuine
spiritual conviction. My early religious zeal also led
me to judge others who didn't behave as I did.
I've continued to learn about intimacy
with Christ and the conviction of the Holy
Spirit, which Paul alludes to in today's Scripture
passage and elsewhere. As I've matured spiritually,
I've become more relaxed about certain things and
stricter about others. All this aligns nicely (and
relies heavily) on our personal, ongoing, and
growing relationship with Jesus.
There are some clear guidelines in
Scripture about how I'm to live, but ultimately I'm
called to respond to the Holy Spirit's conviction
as I'm transformed from the inside out. This
process of sanctification is as unique as I am.
Jesus knows my personal vulnerabilities, my level
of spiritual understanding, and the forces
working against me. Drawing close to Christ enables
me to tune into what He's doing in me, which
also keeps me humble even as I grow. Isabella
Yosuico
Faith Step: Are you letting others be
your Holy Spirit or are you casting yourself in
that role? Return to Jesus, who knows just what
you need. [Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional
by Guideposts and Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
If there is to be any judging at all, let it
not be criticism of others but the determination
not to cause a brother to fall. Pauls first
reason for not judging is that men are accountable,
not to one another but to God, who is their
Master and Judge. His second reason is his
oft-repeated rule of Christian love. [SDA Bible
Commentary]
David declared, God is judge
himself (Psa.50:6). Whenever a person attempts to
judge his fellowmen he usurps the place of God and
as such becomes a kind of antichrist.
When a person sets himself up as judge,
his comments come across as criticism.
Criticism does not build up a person - it tears him
apart. Criticism is instigated by the
adversary.
God is judging His people today. Do not
take His place. Allow Him to have His rightful
place. When Christ died as a sinner He established
justice, and by dying sinless He secured the right to
exercise mercy. Let us therefore heed the inspired
counsel, Lay down your measuring tape, for that is
not for you to use. 2T438, 9
Paul devotes a lengthy section of his letter
to guidelines for criticism. Why? Because
nothing has the power to destroy a persons
self-worth like criticism. Criticism is dangerous when
our opinions about someones fault are
presented as facts. In our insistence upon making our
point, we often fashion our words into weapons that
hurt others. We are warned not to put ourselves
in Gods place. Much knowledge about others
is simply out of our reach; it is the Holy
Spirits job to sift through human thoughts and
motives, and convict people of their sin. You are
not God and should not try to do Gods work
for him. [Living Translation SB]
There is one thing we should judge: we
should judge ourselves to see whether we are
abusing our Christian liberty and making others
stumble. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
He that is strict in judging and humbling
himself, will not be apt to judge and despise his
brother. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
Both strong and weak Christians can cause
their brothers and sisters to stumble. The strong
but insensitive Christian may flaunt his or her
freedom and intentionally offend others'
consciences. The scrupulous but weak Christian may try to
fence others in with petty rules and regulations,
thus causing dissension. Paul wants his readers
to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to
others' needs. Because we are all strong in some
areas and weak in others, we need constantly to
monitor the effects of our behavior on others. [Life
Application SB]
Many people, including Christians, think
they only have to show respect for people with
whom they agree. Nothing could be further from
the truth. In todays world, there are many
activities in our society that I, as a believer, abhor
and actions with which I clearly disagree.
But I still show people respect - even if
I know their behavior is wrong.
Why?
First, I remember that ultimately every
individual will be accountable to God for their own
attitudes, actions, and behaviors. One day God will
settle the score. Each of us will have to give an
account for our behavior.
Second, Im not God. The people with
whom I disagree arent accountable to me.
Theyre accountable to God. It is not my job to be a
police officer, running around trying to make
everyone who isnt a believer act like they are
believers. In fact, the Bible says people cant act
the way God wants them to act until they have a
relationship with him.
The Bible says, Each of us will give
an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let
us stop passing judgment on one another
(Romans 14:12-13 NIV). It isnt judgmental to tell
the truth to people. If someone is doing
something the Bible says is wrong, its not being
judgmental to tell that person its wrong. Thats
just telling people the truth. It is judgmental
to take the truth and beat people over the head
with it, feeling morally superior.
You can disagree with someone without
being disagreeable. Honestly, some of the rudest
people Ive ever met were overly zealous
Christians who were so committed to the truth that they
didnt really care about people.
You can be right about an issue, but if
you arent speaking the truth to people in
love, youre not following what the Bible says.
Lets choose to demonstrate the kind of respect
Jesus wants us to show others, even when its
difficult. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Matthew 7:1-5: Let God Be The Judge. Pending.
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio:
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
