“One of the most subtle burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning other souls. He reveals things in order that we may take the burden of these souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them. It is not that we bring God into touch with our minds, but that we rouse ourselves until God is able to convey His mind to us about the one for whom we intercede” (Oswald Chambers). One of the most hurtful things in the church is judgment over trivial matters. Only the power of the Trinity (God, Jesus and Holy Spirit) working together will move people from judgmental attitudes and condemnation to edifying others.
Obey God
Submit to the governing authorities because God established them. Since rebelling against human authority is like rebelling against God, people reap judgment upon themselves. Those who do what is right receive commendation without fear. Human authorities are God’s servants and bear the sword to punish wrongdoers. Submit to authorities to avoid punishment and for conscience sake. Pay taxes to authorities who serve full time in governing. Pay what you owe whether it is taxes, revenue, respect and honor (Rom. 13:1-7). Submit to human authorities since they are God’s servants to protect you.
Put on Christ
Let no debt remain except to love one another, which fulfills the law. Adultery, murder, stealing or coveting from the Ten Commandments harm a neighbor, but not love. It’s time to wake up from sleeping because salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Put aside deeds of darkness like orgies, drunkenness, sexual immortality, debauchery, dissension and jealousy. Put on the armor of light by clothing yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and not thinking how to gratify the desires of the flesh (Rom. 13:8-14). Put on Christ by loving others without gratifying the flesh.
Accept Others
Accept and do not pass judgment on someone with a weak faith. One man eats anything but someone with a weak faith eats only vegetables. The strong cannot judge the weak while the weak cannot condemn the strong that eats everything. God accepts the strong and weak because He makes both of them stand as His servants. One man considers one day more sacred than another while someone else regards every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced before the Lord. We live and die to the Lord since everyone belongs to Him (Rom. 14:1-8). Accept and do not judge or condemn others on matters of personal liberty and convictions.
Follow Holy Spirit
For this reason, Christ died and became alive as Lord of the dead and living. Why do you judge your brother since all will stand before God’s judgment seat. Every knee will bow and tongue will confess to God since everyone will give an account of himself to God. Stop judging and do not put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. No food is unclean in itself. If anyone regards something as unclean, it then becomes unclean for him. If your brother is distressed by what you eat, then you are not acting in love but destroying your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men (Rom. 14:9-18). Follow the Holy Spirit in righteousness, peace and joy so you do not put a stumbling block in your brother’s way.
Act in Faith for Edification
Pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy God’s work God for the sake of food. Eating anything that causes someone to stumble is wrong even though all food is clean. Keep your convictions about these things between you and God. A man who doubts is condemned if his eating is not from faith. Everything that does not come from faith is sin (Rom. 14:19-23). Act in faith and pursue what leads to peace and mutual edification.
Consider the process from judgment/condemnation to peace/edification:
1. Obey God through delegated authorities
2. Put on Christ so you can love others
3. Accept others and do not judge or condemn them
4. Follow the Holy Spirit in righteousness, peace and joy
5. Act in faith and pursue what leads to peace and mutual edification
