No longer walking in love ...

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So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. 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. -Romans 14:12-15 ESV

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In a sense these verses seem contradictory. Is it not loving to tell a person that they are wrong about the ways that they worship? Was not the law of Moses trumped by the gospel of Jesus Christ? Should we not help people who are clinging to law and not embracing grace? What Paul is speaking to is the issue of judging what people do just because they do not do it like us. Issues like food and holy days should not be opportunities for judging each other.

Life seems to be filled with hindrances. I think that judgmentalism is one of the biggest stumbling blocks that people have in life. Many unbelievers see it and are turned off to the gospel - what we do speaks louder than what we say. My thinking is that we must find a way to embrace this idea: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity". In the words of Christ, all people will know that we are His disciples, if we have love for one another.

Lord Jesus Christ, please help me not to judge. Teach me to walk in love and not be a stumbling block to others.

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