One Another Series - Stop Passing Judgement On One Another

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.

Last time we addressed the edification, or building up, of one another from Romans 14:19. In this episode we will look just a few verses prior at the negative, or opposite, side of this. “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)

Firstly, I want to say that one of the responsibilities of a leader is to make assessments of people and situations. Leaders do exercise judgment about circumstances. But what the Apostle Paul is speaking about here is “passing judgment” upon others. His term has a tone of condemnation or looking down upon. We see this in verse 10 where he asks, “why do you treat them with contempt?”

The context of this chapter 14 passage is what Paul refers to in verse 1 as “disputable matters”. In early Church times some examples of “disputable matters” were eating certain foods (such as those sacrificed to idols) or which days of the week were more holy. “Disputable matters” today might be the frequency of the Lord’s Supper in a local church or who might be authorized to preside over such services. Paul reminds his audience – and us – that we will all stand before God’s Judgment Seat, and each of us will give account of ourselves to God. (vs. 10 and 12).

Our verse today follows this reminder in 12 that we will each give an account of our lives to God, and then verse 13 begins with the word “therefore”. This means “as a consequence” or “as a result of what we just read or heard.” He continues with the negative command to “stop passing judgment on one another” followed by a positive encouragement to “make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” As good and godly leaders, it is our responsibility to provide evaluation or assessment of people and situations. Yet, Paul balances this with two stipulations.

 We are not to pass judgment on others over “disputable matters.” We need to keep our focus upon the vital and irrefutable essentials of the Faith. We are not to look with contempt at those who hold different opinions on disputable matters. And, We are to be committed to avoid creating any stumbling block or obstacle to others. Let us edify one other rather than judging them with contempt.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.