Not Passing Judgement

Romans 14:13-23.

Romans 14 teaches one big truth-

Christian freedom must always be guided by love and grace.

Where Scripture is clear, we obey together

Where Scripture is silent, we follow our Spirit led conscience

While refusing to judge or trip one another up

Our main points for today:

Tripping over the stumbling block

Pursue Peace

Growing in God

Personal Beliefs in a complicated world

While Apostle Paul’s focus continues to be on the conflict of dietary and social convictions of his day,

His over all emphasis is that we all need to be serving God AND building each other up in our faith- Not tearing others down.

Such judging actions inside the Body of Christ serve only to stunt Spiritual growth, unity and maturity.

Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37.

The religious leaders passed by a wounded man, judging him and showing no mercy, while a Samaritan—a member of a despised group—stopped to help.

This story teaches us that serving God is not about our judgments of others, but about our willingness to act in love and care for those in need. It calls us to reflect our faith through service, challenging societal norms, and our own prejudices.

To summarize: A question-

In what ways can we actively promote peace and mutual upbuilding within our Christian community?

How can I use my freedom to build up and not tear down?

1- Tripping Over the Stumbling Blocks

Romans 14:13–15 ESV

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

Inside the Christian faith it is never wise to judge one another based on matters of opinion and personal conviction.

Those more mature in their faith should always be sensitive to those that are new to the faith.

Our personal freedoms must never slow down someone else’s spiritual growth

As followers of Christ, we willingly adjust to those who are weaker in the faith.

Judging each other over these grey areas only harms spiritual growth, unity and maturity

In Paul’s day, the grey areas were food and special holidays

Today they can be found in:

Choices of entertainment

Alcohol in moderation

Schooling decisions

or Political Preferences

Scripture doesnt give direct commands for every situation, so in these areas we follow our Spirit-led conscience and love one another.

Paul addresses this in 1 Cor 8:9

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Paul’s desire was for all to be strong in the faith yet sensitive to one another’s needs.

Because we all have strong and weak areas of our lives, we need to be socially aware of how our behaviors impact those around us.

At the Jerusalem Council mentioned in Acts 15, Paul submitted to the wishes of the Jewish Christians by not eating meat that had been offered to idols.

His conviction that, “In the Lord, nothing is unclean in itself...” was not so dogmatic that he insisted on having his way.

Paul believed that unity was far more important than personal conviction. Having his way was not worth cause confusion and division in the church body.

Paul chose to honor the convictions of the Jewish believers, in this matter.

It can be difficult in Western society and culture to willingly take a back seat to others. It is not in our culture to do so.

However it is a bold witness for Christ that we do so. Paul’s final conclusion is that if we cannot submit to one another

We will never be totally submitted to God, either

In a competitive workplace, it's tempting to judge others to elevate your own status. If you’re feeling this pressure, shift your focus by creating a 'servant leadership' initiative at work.

Start by reaching out to a colleague who seems overwhelmed, offering to help with their workload or mentoring them. This will foster collaboration rather than competition, showing your commitment to serving others in the workplace while fulfilling God’s calling of love and service.

What practical steps can we take this week to serve someone instead of passing judgment on them?

Where might my freedom be tripping someone up, instead of building them up?

So then, if love keeps us from tripping each other up, what does the Christian life look like?

Paul tells us in verse 17: “The Kingdom is about righteousness, peace and Joy.”

2- Pursue Peace

Romans 14:16–18 ESV

So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 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.

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking...”

The disagreement over manmade issues is NOT what the Kingdom of God is about

It is too easy for us to get caught up in issues of no consequence

This puts Christianity in a back light- with fellow believers AND Non-believers.

So Pursue Righteousness, Peace and Joy.

Bickering over non essentials-

Does not form good relationships- Which is Righteousness

It does not promote unity- Peace

It is not an example of Spiritual contentment- Joy

If we focus our efforts on the needs and concerns of others-

We emphasis the essentials of the Faith,

Promote Harmony

And Show the Joy of the Lord, through our actions and countenance.

All of these attributes contribute to acceptable service to Christ.

The end result will be a pleasing attitude towards other people and God.

If that is what the Kingdom is about, then how do we live it out daily?

Is there a non-essential issue that has become more important to me than Peace and Unity?

Verse 19-21 tells us we must actively pursue what BUILDS OTHERS UP.

3- Growing in God

Romans 14:19–21 ESV

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus washes the disciples' feet, a task reserved for the lowest servant.

Instead of judging their faults or failures, He demonstrated humility and service.

His actions were a powerful lesson in leadership and discipleship, teaching us that true greatness is found in our willingness to serve rather than criticize.

By following His example, we can embody the heart of God, choosing service over judgment, and allowing His love to shine through us.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Those lacking in Spiritual maturity may try to manipulate the truth to fit their own agenda, or to justify their own actions.

Paul’s concern for moving in grace towards new believer is valid.

However that grace should not keep us from standing firm in the faith that we know is true.

We gain nothing by not confronting those with ulterior motives or self desires- We are all to follow Christ.

We are interdependent on each other- Whether we like it or not.

Sin is not just a private matter. Everything we do affects others, and we have to consider the impact of what we do. God created us to be interdependent, not independent.

God designed us to do life together, not to live our faith isolated and alone.

We who are strong in our faith must, without pride or condescension, treat others with love, patience, and self-restraint.

Nothing like food should be so important to us that we insist on having it even at the risk of harming another.

Consider this- Is there a preference I need to lay down- For someone elses spiritual maturity?

There are the Essentials of the faith and the Non-Essentials of the faith

On clear essential topics like:

The Gospel Message

Sexual Sins

Idolatry

We stand firm and, when needed gently confront with grace and mercy

On the grey Non-essential areas:

Food

Drink

Or Special days

We show grace, give space and refuse to judge.

The Apostle Paul is NOT saying we are to be soft on sin.

He IS saying that we must be gentle and patient, where Scripture leaves room for different convictions.

Paul’s admonishment to the church in Corinth bears repeating here.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24.

To paraphrase:

“Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive”

“No one should seek his own good, but rather the good of others...”

Paul not only taught it, he also modeled it.

We have already noted his choices made at the Jerusalem Council- Unity over personal freedoms.

He also told the church at Corinth, that if what he ate would cause a fellow believer to fall into sin, he would never eat that thing again, so that he might not fall.

A true exercise of freedom for Followers of Christ is knowing when to restrain ourselves for the sake of others.

At work, you may struggle with colleagues whose work ethic or approach differs from yours, leading to judgment and dissatisfaction.

Instead of passing judgment, serve your coworkers by offering help on a project or simply being willing to listen to their challenges.

This can go a long way towards creating a supportive atmosphere and remind you all to lift each other up rather than tear each other down.

Ask yourself-

How does the concept of 'clean' and 'unclean' in this passage relate to our understanding of sin and judgment?

That still leaves us with another question:

What do I do with my personal convictions in the grey areas?

Verses 22-23 we examine our personal conscience before God

4- Personal Beliefs in a Complicated World

Romans 14:22–23 ESV

The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

In todays world of digital social media- It is easy to express an opinion.

It is even easier to express that opinion without any apparent consequences.

There have been many a time that I have had the Holy Spirit check my spirit and my attitude before I hit the “Send” key.

Without fail, that check, ultimately led to a rewording of my response or a complete deletion of the response.

Many of the best decisions I have made in social media, involved messages I never sent.

I was reminded this week, that our calling from Christ is not to win the world to our side of the political spectrum

We are not in the world to win an argument.

We are here to reflect the love of Christ to a lost and dying world.

Every human system-political-economic-social- Will all pass away

Only what belongs to God will last.

Paul is showing his audience how to be true to their convictions while being sensitive to others.

He calls us all to be Self-Aware and understand that God each of us individually- For individual purposes of God’s choosing.

We see this so often in the family dynamic, where there, naturally, is a very broad spectrum of physical and Spiritual growth and maturity.

This can leave unprepared parents in bewilderment at their choices as well as their children’s choices.

This can lead to conflict and resentment. Instead of criticizing, choose to serve them.

Perhaps you take time to find a way to help a family member with a task that benefits them, whether it’s cooking their favorite meal or taking over a chore they dislike.

As you focus on serving rather than judging, you'll not only strengthen your relationships but also embody the love of Christ in your home.

Examine ourselves-

Are my private convictions flowing from faith- or from fear, pride or pressure?

In summary: Paul’s overall teaching draws attention to Jesus’ teaching on living our Faith authentically-

Respecting the differences found in the Body of Believers- which should lead to a combined strengthening of our Spiritual growth in Christ.

To conclude, One final question:

What does Romans 14:13–23 teach us about the nature of Christian freedom in relation to others' convictions?