DO NOT JUDGE, BUT STRENGTHEN (2)

A call for tolerance, mutual respect and edification

This is the second edition of this series. In the first article, we gave the introduction of this teaching. We found out from Romans 14 that God desire not for us to be judgemental. We saw the context of the letter as written by the Apostle Paul. We identified two things Paul expounded on, warning the church to avoid being judgemental on: the Sabbath day and meal. Today, we shall discuss the first.

The Day of Worship

a. "One man thinks that a certain day is more important than the other, while another man thinks that all day is the same. Each one should be fully persuaded in his mind. (v.5) He who thinks highly of a certain day does it in honour of the Lord; he that regard not the day, does so too in honour of the Lord. (Romans 14:5-6)

b. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day or of the new moon, or of the a Sabbath day." (Colossians 2:16)

The Sacredness of the Sabbath

Without doubt, the Sabbath day is a holy day; and was commanded by God to be regarded and kept holy. The Jews in Bible days never played with this commandment. Remember, in Luke 13:14 Jesus was accused by the Pharisees for healing an old woman (who was bent over), on a Sabbath day.

The Pharisees also in John 5:12, blamed a man Jesus healed for carrying his stretcher on a Sabbath day. Breaking the rules of the Sabbath was a punishable offense. Now in grace, we (believers) are commanded not to judge a man/woman because of his regard/disregard for Sabbath.

Do Not Judge the Brother Who Skips Sunday Service

It is a concern for any (genuine) Believer if a neighbour or friend regularly absents him/herself from church services for any reason. Because of your dedication, you may be tempted to think of yourself more highly than him, and consequently begin to judge him for not going to church. This is wrong.

After Christ came and died, the order changed. Every man received Salvation, not because of his works or goodness, but because of God's sufficient grace. Therefore, no man had the right to judge his brother on any reason (henceforth).

You may identify his errors and try to convince him/her to change, but do not condemn him for not regarding the day of worship.

Conviction: Not by Condemnation and Judgement

The Apostle Paul said in verse 22 (of our text), 'Has thou faith? Have it to thyself before God'. Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 3:9: 'It is not the will of God that any man should perish, but that all men should come to repentance'. The man/woman who you condemn is accepted by God. For the lost, he came. If your faith is strong, then it should be demonstrated in love, patience and gentleness towards others, and not condemnation.

It is God through the Holy Spirit that can change a man and bring him to convictions of the truth. However, as believers, we have a role too. It is to love. Demonstrate this by intercession (prayers for those who are not saved), give and encourage. If they refuse, do not judge, do not condemn. Continue to act in love. (1John 4:20-21)

Learn to Tolerate Others

Apostle Paul wrote this letter to curb the high level of intolerance in the church and society at that time. The Jewish Believers (probably) did not spare ungodly behaviors of the Gentile-converts in church.

Intolerance could have led to the loss of the harvest of souls into the early church, but love (beyond condemnation) kept them united and increasing.

This is my candid advice in line with message of Apostle Paul: no matter what, do not condemn people. Always believe they could change, show them love, pray for them, forgive and tolerate. By this, you're winning them over. God bless you.

[Goodlife Writes]

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