Romans 14:7 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
1 Peter 4:2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
We must understand that from beginning to end our life is connected to other lives. Paul reminds the Roman Christians that “No man is an island.” From beginning to end, our lives are to be dedicated to God. Therefore, whatever we do, we do it to the Lord. The strict Christian found it easy to judge his brother, writing him off as an unspiritual meat-eater-compromiser. The free Christian found it easy to show contempt against his brother, regarding him as a uptight-legalistic-goody-good. Essentially, Paul’s answer is “Stop worrying about your brother. You have enough to answer for before Jesus.”
Have you ever noticed how it is easy to judge others? We hear what they say or see what they are doing and there is this little calculator running in our brains that tabulates these words and actions and drops them into our bins of judgment. These bins are labeled with words like fake, worthless, unwise, weak, self-important, foolish, etc……… When these judgments are made against our brothers, even if it is only in our minds we do not honor Jesus Christ. I would like to say I am free from making these types of judgments but they are always a temptation. I have found they are an indicator of where my focus is. When my focus is on honoring Jesus Christ these are not tempting or even thought about. When my focus is more on myself, things of this world, worldly issues and problems, or cultural mind clouding issues, things of God and focus on Jesus Christ take a second-place standing. I have been able to see patterns in my life and know with certainty that focus on Jesus Christ with a desire to honor and glorify Him keeps these judging attitudes and thoughts at bay. I recognize the value of God’s Word in my life each day. I value the use of these by the Holy Spirit to lead and guide my thoughts and actions. I am thankful for how God is able to and lovingly willing to guide my thoughts with His Word. When I am in His Word seeking to know Him more and more with a desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ those judgment thoughts are overcome with a love of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
“Judging” thoughts are a good indication of where our focus is. “turn your eyes to Jesus, look full into His wonderful face, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”