Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. Romans 14:13-14
Kent Hughes writes, "Diversity and unity are in natural antithesis because we humans tend to criticize and censor those who do things differently from us. Judging one another according to our little lists is one of the favorite sports.
In answer to this problem, Romans 14 tells us three things we need to know if we are to maintain unity amidst diversity. First, genuine acceptance of one another is the only option available to believers. The tendency of the liberated Christian to look down on his less broad-minded brother and the tendency of that brother to judge his less restricted brother must be put away. Second, individual Christians can disagree over customs and social habits and both be perfectly right with God. Third, we must submit to the Lordship of Christ and refrain from judging others because we will all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ and give account of ourselves to him." Romans 14:13
Romans 14 is about unity in the church. Some were concerned about keeping the old law while others accepted that the law had been fulfilled and they had more freedom. This applied especially to food and the Sabbath. So, join me in reading Romans 14 and be encouraged!
