If certain things offend...back off for the sake of the weak...
- Jon Cooper
- Feb 19, 2017
- 2 min read
"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." - Romans 14:13
"Let us not therefore judge one another any more:" - The Lord is our judge, and if we are all truly believers he has paid for our sins and we are here to help one another grow and have a great day at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3) (Romans 14). Does that mean we allow sin to run freely in the Church? Absolutely not. Still discern. Still keep your thinking cap on and use wisdom daily. Still study your bible rightly divided, for there are many things your judgement as a believer is required for in this day and age. However we are not God, and can not "judge" whether or not a person will or will not go to heaven. Which is all the more reason to give everybody the gospel, regardless if the individual states they have been a Mid-Acts Right Divider for a ziilion years, or otherwise.
"but judge this rather" - Here we see in the next four words that Paul is saying to "JUDGE THIS"....because as we know from 1 Corinthians 2:15 - We are instructed to judge, and those that are Spiritual judgeth all things. Paul still wants us judging and using judgment. As well as wisdom and discernment to make the decisions we make in the Body of Christ to be godly, holy, and accurate, serving the Lord. But what is it that Paul tells us to judge? Let's read on...
"that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." - Set up nothing that would allow the weaker brother not to become strong. Weaker brothers need to become strong. Strong brothers need to become even stronger, as we all press on towards the truth, who is the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Revelation of the Mystery (Romans 16:25-26). Set up nothing that would allow your brother to fall. Even if you know you can eat pork? Don't do it. And don't do it for the weaker brother's sake. Looks like today is Tofu and Broccilli Day unfortunately....but for the sake of the growth of the weaker brother? I'd do that... upon many other various things.
Do not allow sin to run rampant. Rebuke and reprove as per 2 Timothy 4:2....be no man pleaser....but when an honest brother is weak in the faith and looks to grow? Watch out for him (or her).
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