No Judging One Another

Rom. 14

The point Paul is making is two fold. First he says don't judge one another, and secondly we must now lives for Christ. In Christ's kingdom it makes no difference if you abstain from something or if you do something. It makes no difference who you are whether rich or poor, important in this world's standing or of no consequence. These things make no difference, and why is that? Because if we live we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Our entire life must be lived to and for Jesus. Because of this we must never pass judgment on another, and never put a stumbling-block in the way of another brother. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. Consequently, our lives must be consumed with what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 

I think the crux of the problem is we tend to live for ourselves. 'We' are the most important person in our world. Sad! We must remember that now we live to Christ. Our world must be turned upside down. In this world's system, men live for self, and our flesh cries out to live for self as well, but the new man, the born again man must say no. We must crucify the flesh and no longer present ourselves as slaves to self  but as slaves to God, to Jesus Christ. When we live for Christ, then we no longer judge others. We are all one in Christ. We all must grow up into Him who is our head. He eliminates the petty wars we wage against one another when He transforms our focus from self to Him. 

Father,

I confess so many times I think of self and have judgmental thoughts toward others. Lord, continue Your work in me, cleansing and changing me from the inside out. Spirit, keep me focused on Jesus continually. I know that whatever is not of You is sin. It is my desire to live as You would live. Fill me with Your grace and strength so that I might live this way.

In Jesus name,

Amen