Romans 14:10: Why Do You Pass Judgment On Your Brother?

Romans 14:10
[10] 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; (ESV)

We are all different. You can go to any church in America. You can read their doctrinal statement. You will find that while many church members will say that they agree on most things there are probably many things they disagree on. If you have any doubt, stick around long enough to see people in action at a committee meeting.

Let's consider some of the things that we tend to disagree on that are not worth passing judgment on our brother about. Here they are in no particular order: the age of the Earth, style of worship, the use of modern technology in a worship service, how long the sermon is, the color of the carpet, whether or not to hire a youth pastor, etc.

I have gone on social media and I have been dismayed to find Christians who claim to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior literally bashing other fellow believers and calling them heretics and even worse things. I think the Apostle Paul would say, "Why do you despise your brother?" Well, why do we? Why do we raise things of secondary importance to the level of a test of orthodoxy?

The fact is this: We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We will not be asked to give an account for someone else. We will give an account for our own choices. In the meantime, it is our responsibility to love each other. If you have a difference with someone try to find a way to love them even if you disagree.

Let's keep the main thing the main thing. Ask the Lord to show you areas where you are judging your brother unnecessarily.  "In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity."