Judge Yourself and Not Others by Brother Curtis Hansen

         Good morning. If you will, please turn to the book of Romans. We are going to start reading from the first verse. We are going to read the majority of this chapter. 

        Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

        Let's start at the very beginning. Receive those weak in the faith. When you started your relationship, were you weak in the faith? Are you weak in the faith this morning? When Paul wrote this letter, it was to the church there in Rome. This letter wasn't written to the city of Rome itself. The word disputation is defined as debate or argument. Now, there are some denominations which apply guidelines and restrictions into what they believe in an attempt to prevent any potential sin. Some denominations have restricted tv or music. Yes, Jesus spoke about garbage in garbage out in the book of Mark. What you take in comes out in your life. He is stressing more of a personal responsibility in this though. Man made fences, barriers, restrictions have always failed in regards to keeping one sinless. Your flesh will always find a way to give itself the satisfaction it desires.

        2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

        In the time of this writing there was the Hebrew culture which held to the dietary restrictions that were recorded as law. Now there was a dispute between believers which caused dissent. All sins are not equal in your life but all things that are sin remains sin.

        3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: For God hath received him.

        Everyone here is working on something in regards to their character. We are all working and some struggling with lifestyle issues. You and I always need to mindful of this.

        4 Who art thou that judges another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

        We are all servants of God. Why are you so quick to judge your brother or sister for what they are struggling with? You do not answer to the pastor. The pastor is not who you should depend on to tell you what is right and wrong. You are required to work and improve yourself. Stop judging in among your brothers and sisters in Christ. You judge on what you allow for yourself.

        5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

        You know or work with people who only work for the weekend? It doesn't matter what you value because everything is the Lord's.

        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.

        When you step out into the public you should be a light unto others. The morals and teaching of scripture you should apply to your day.

        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.

        No matter what happens, you belong to the Lord.

        9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

        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.

        Everyone is going to grow at their own pace in their walk and with each other. You need to use maturity and patience in your life.

        11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

        In this verse Paul is referencing Isaiah 45:23.

        12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

        The account you and I are to be giving is not just the misdeeds, the unrepentant sins or iniquity. It's the times you did well, followed his principles. The whole account is before him.

        13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

        What is a stumbling block? You put an obstacle to trip someone up. This is the sin to tempt someone to sin. A stumbling block is an error or a personal opinion you give to a brother or sister. You should not seek approval from an elder nor deacon nor even your pastor. You should seek approval from God. The term occasion is more about manipulating the time to set the stumbling block.

        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.

        There is nothing unclean to eat in of itself. If you have the conviction to not do something or make a decision, you should heed the conviction.

        15 But if thy brother be grieved by thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

        Paul references the scripture as meat in other letters. There are believers who may be on a different diet than you. Some are just starting out like a toddler and taking in milk. Once again back to the original point, everyone is on their own path. Don't take the time to cut a piece of spiritual steak for someone who is still toothless in their walk.

        Why are you doing what you are doing? The best part of you is what God gave you. It's your responsibility to be a steward of what is given to you. Don't be a bad representation of God. It's okay what stage you are in. You have the capability to grow.

        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 Holy Ghost.

        You need to seek beyond what is in front of you. If you aren't doing things for righteousness, peace, and joy, your work is for naught.

        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 edify another.

        20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man that eateth with offense.

        If you don't get the walk and relationship on the right course here in church with your brothers and sisters in the Lord, you most assuredly won't do it in the world.

        21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak.

        Let your brothers work on themselves and their issues. You are still going to answer for yourself to God.

        22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows.

        23 And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

        If you say you will do something but not use it, you're not working in faith. Hold yourselves accountable by the scripture. Use the moral compass you have. We are all on different levels of maturity. Overcoming an obstacle grows your faith. Don't be a conduit of sin to your brother. People grow their own faith through patience.