28th October 2023

28th October 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Romans 14v10-12)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


If you received a letter from the Apostle Paul asking you the two questions in verse ten, how would you respond? If you don’t have your Bible handy the questions in question are these…Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? Let’s try and make a good defence of our position…


“Dear Paul, thanks for your questions and giving me the opportunity to explain my judgemental attitude and hatred. If you knew Rupert the way I do, then you would be angry too. He lives in a way that I don’t agree with. I’m not saying he is sinning but he refuses to live up to my standards. He disagrees with me on numerous secondary issues and it has forced me to conclude that he isn’t even saved. I’m not sure I hate him but I don’t want anything to do with him and if I see him coming then I make sure to walk the other way. I hope this answers your concerns. Yours sincerely. Me.”


Do you think Paul would accept such a response? Mmmmmm. I’m not so sure. I think a more accurate reply would be to say that we pass judgement and despise our brother because we sinfully want to be the King of the Castle. No one is as good as us, no one is as holy as us and no one behaves as impeccably as us. Therefore, we get to judge and we get to hate. Brothers and sisters, if any of us this remotely describes our position, then we are in desperate need of sanctification.


Although we want to be the “top dog” the Bible reminds us that the judgement seat doesn’t belong to us. All will stand before the judgement seat of Christ (v10) and this is the clear and repeated testimony of Scripture. Paul underlines this by reminding us of Isaiah 45v23 which states “By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’” Each one will give an account to God and it is this interaction which should shape our behaviour.


There is something wonderfully liberating about this. I don’t need to spend my life in ceaseless judgement of others. I don’t need to waste my time by demanding others conform to my image. I don’t need to fill my ears with gossip and my lips don’t need to speak slanderously. If I am a Christian then I live in the gaze of my Master Jesus. He knows those who belong to Him and the behaviour of His children is the business of Christ alone. Brothers and sisters, take an extended break from judgement and a prolonged holiday from hatred. Live for Jesus and leave the judgement of others to Him. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q82 Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.