Daily Devotional – Sunday, April 17, 2022
Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
Romans 14:13 (NKJV)
“They gossiped me when I backslid. There was no love in the church and I left.”
“They judged me harshly and refused to give me the opportunity to give my side of the story. I was condemned unheard, then excommunicated.”
“If so and so is a member of that church, I will never attend it!”
You must have come across such claims in your community. We can deny the assertions but this will not take them away. We may dismiss the complainant as weak believers but this attitude is not helpful to the victim or the accused.
Let Us Not Judge One Another Anymore
In Romans 14, Paul warned believers against judging one another. He reminds us that we shall all appear before the judgement seat of Christ. He then offers a solution, which would help stem the loss of believers because of unfair criticism.
The apostle urges, “… let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13). When we judge others, we obstruct their spiritual progress.
Are You a Stumbling Block to Your Brother?
Let us take a moment and reflect on whether there are people who no longer follow Jesus because of our unfair criticism and judgement? How can we restore such persons to the faith?
Going forward, how can we ensure our words and actions are not stumbling blocks that cause our brothers and sisters to fall away? Are we cooperating with Jesus to save souls or we are scattering the sheep He saves?
Prayer
Almighty Father, make me a bridge to Your kingdom; not a stumbling block.
Sometimes we have become obstacles in doors that others ought to enter, because of selfishness or even self righteousness.
May God Forgive us and help us not to stand in the way of salvation for our fellow brethren by criticism and judgement.
Quite true, Doc.