Love’s Good Judgment | Romans 14:13-16

Scripture

• Romans 14:13–16

About this sermon

Introduction: There is a kind of judgment that Romans 14 has put off limits. This 13th verse begins by reminding us of that standard. We are not to sit in judgment of others regarding matters of conscience and individual liberty. As verse 13 begins, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer.” The matters that have been discussed, the matters where we might be tempted to judge, have been the matters of food and special days. It had to do with matters that once had divine authority in the lives of these people, but now no longer do. Why? Because the shadow and been replaced by the substance. Christ has come and the tutor is no longer needed. But in the consciences of these people, those purity laws still held authority. This statement of verse 13 applies to all in the church. Whether your faith is strong or weak, whether you are the one eating or not eating, observing special days, or treating all days alike. WE ARE TO STOP JUDGING ONE ANOTHER. WE MUST REMEMBER OUR REASONS FOR AGREEMENT. If we can agree that Jesus is Lord, that we are striving to honor Him, that we are living in a way that can give Him thanks, and that we are acknowledging His Lordship in our choices, we have all the reason we need to walk together in unity. God has given us truths to preach to ourselves that will save us from a sinful kind of judgment. We saw those truths in verses 10-12. I am not qualified to judge the hearts of men. (vs.10a) The one who is perfectly qualified will judge the hearts of men (including my own). (10b-11) I need concentrate on my own day of accounting. (vs.12) But the same love that DOES NOT judge a brother regarding matters of conscience, DOES judge itself. That is what we are called to in this next section. Verse 13 shifts our attention to that NEW KIND OF JUDGMENT. A judgment that is the result of love. This morning we think about love’s good judgment. And as we do, we see three ways of thinking that are becoming of brothers in Christ. • A DECISION BECOMING OF BROTHERS (vs.13) You will notice the emphasis on our brotherhood in these verses. “in the way of a brother” (vs.13) “for if your brother is grieved” (vs15) “the one for whom Christ died” (vs.16) This is one of the guiding principles that helps us maintain a way of thinking that accords with the truth — I am to remember that my brothers and sisters are my brothers and sisters. And it is in that context that we are exhorted to a good kind of judgment. The imperative “decide” (ESV) “determine” (NASB) is a form of the same word translated “judge” in the first part of verse 14. (κρίνω) You could translate it, “Do not judge one another anymore, but judge this.” Paul makes use of the same verb but with a different meaning. This is a good judgment – decision – determination. This is a kind of judgment that pleases God. This is a kind of judgment that LOVES your brother or sister. Decide — determine — not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Use your powers of judgment for something productive. Use your powers of judgment (your critical thinking ability) to think about helping your fellow believer. John MacArthur – “Paul’s play on words demands that we should never be judgmental of fellow believers but instead should use our best judgment to help them. In relation to the second meaning, we should determine … not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. He gives the same warning in his first letter to Corinth, saying, “Take care lest this liberty of yours [the strong] somehow become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor. 8:9). This carries the idea of stumbling into sin. For example, although the New Testament does not forbid the drinking of alcoholic beverages, there are many good reasons for Christians to abstain. One of the most important is the detrimental effect it can have on a former alcoholic. Our drinking, even in moderation, could easily place a stumbling block in that brother’s way and cause him to fall back into his former addiction. The same principle applies to any activity or practice that is not inherently sinful. Problem areas vary from society to society and from person to person, but the principle never changes. The loving, caring, strong Christian will determine in his mind and heart to be sensitive to any weakness in a fellow believer and avoid doing anything, including what is innocent in itself and otherwise permissible, that might cause him to morally or spiritually stumble.” The idea is a simple one, but a SELFLESS ONE. How can my stay out of my brother’s way, and yet help advance his way, in his walk with Christ? How can I live so as not to be an impetus for someone else’s sinning? This is a way of thinking that Paul will emphasize throughout this entire section. You see this in chapter 15 verses 1-3.

Topics

• Love & Compassion
• Hell & Judgment