ESOCS Devotional 14 September
TEXT: Romans 14:1 – 11 KJV
MEMORY VERSE: “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.” Romans 14:10 KJV
Simply put, to judge means to form an opinion quickly about someone or something. It is to make a personal opinion about someone after thinking carefully. It may also mean thinking, saying, or feeling negative about anyone. In practical terms, judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who you are. You judge someone not when you assess their position, but when you dismiss them as a person.
Instructively, the Bible says that we should not judge others. In our memory verse, Apostle Paul assumed that there would be differences of opinion in the church about what is right and wrong. We do not pass judgment on issues that are matters of opinion. We should be careful about these differences and avoid them; but we could accept and handled them with love. We do not expect everyone, even in the best church, to agree on every subject. Through sharing ideas, we can listen to, and respect others and their opinions no matter their status in the society or church, financially or otherwise. Differences of opinion need not cause division. They can be a source of learning and richness in our relationship. Why did the Bible warn that we should not judge? Each person is accountable to Christ, not others. While the church must be uncompromising in its stand against activities extremely forbidden by the scripture (adultery, fornication, homosexuality, murder, theft, drunkenness, backbiting, lying, etc.), it should not create additional rules and regulations and give them equal standing with God’s law.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Today, some Christians Leaders and their members in authority base their moral judgments on opinions, personal dislikes, or cultural, tribal, and racial bias rather than on the word of God. The Bible is against this (John 7:24). Some misinterpret the Bible to suit them, their opinion, or what they believe in. they base their judge on this wrong parameter. They are stumbling blocks (Rom. 14: 13).Why must we judge; are we without the same sin, or more? (John 8:7)
Believers are called to accept one another without judging our varied opinions. Facing the fact, how do we deal with judging others? Paul’s response is that we act in love for unity to reign in the church. It is hard to escape the ease with which we can judge others, but the variety of people we can meet is as great as the damage we can cause. We should be careful about judging others.
CHALLENGES
- Are you in the habit of judging every opinion or behaviour of others?
PRAYER POINT:
- Ask God for the ability to be corrective in your actions and not destructive.
FURTHER READING: Matthew 7:1-5; John 8: 3-11; Roman 14:12-13
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 14 September
