Morning Meditations: For The Recovering Pharisee

From my morning devotion:

Romans 14:1,10 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

also:

Romans 14:5-8 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

We are to receive someone who claims to be a Christian in faith. Unless they show themselves to be false prophets or someone obviously trapped in sin, you have no right to say to say anything against them or their personal convictions.

Romans 14:13-19 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

If you are judging someone for something not obviously sin, you are condemning yourself. Furthermore you are putting a stumblingblock in their way. Who are you to judge what god has called them to do. Do you have all the same gifts and callings as they do?

I have been in "churches" where a woman is judged for wearing pants, or on the length of their skirt (even though they were being modest). Going to hell for cutting their hair? Won't listen to a teacher or support a missionary because he wears a wedding band? We need to repent people!

Heavenly Father, forgive us for judging our brothers and sisters. Help us to build up each other in love of You. Help us to have unity. In Jesus name we pray, amen.