So then we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.     Romans 14:19

In Romans 14 Paul addresses disunity among believers. He speaks of how we must not judge and criticize each other and cause stumbling blocks for weaker Christians.

Here is where you may ask what are weaker Christians? Well, I would describe them as less mature Christians or those who have not studied the Bible as much as others. It is our duty as mature or stronger Christians to build them up and not tear them down. We are not to put stumbling blocks in front of them and cause them to stumble.

Often times we get caught up in the religion forgetting that it’s the relationship with our Lord and Savior that actually saves us. There will be no sections in heaven dividing the various religions.

They were having a problem with discord in the Roman church and Paul was addressing these issues. They were criticizing each other over the foods they ate and the holy days they observed. He addressed this in Romans 14:1-5. Can you imagine a church being in discord? Doesn’t sound a lot different than our churches today, does it?

Paul goes on to say that all of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ in verse 10. Paul also mentions how we should not let our opinions or religious convictions cause us to judge others. When we judge others and criticize them, we can put a stumbling block before them. Jesus said in Matthew 18:7 when he says, “Woe to the world because of things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come.” It is a serious offense for a Christian to cause another Christian to stumble.

Christian maturity comes through knowledge. Knowledge comes through Bible study. It is important to know what the Bible says about these things. In 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 Paul says, “About food offered to idols:  We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.” We must have knowledge of God’s will for our lives. We must know what God forbids and what He allows, but we must also have love. In his book, “Be Right”, Warren Wiersbe points out that our knowledge must be balanced with our love for Jesus and for others.

People practice things in their religion due to traditions and rituals, but the bottom line is it’s the doctrine that matters. Spencer Smith, a Baptist missionary and preacher basically uses this as his slogan. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us we are saved by grace through faith. It is a free gift from God. We don’t pay for our salvation with works. Once we are truly saved, we want to be obedient, and we want to serve. But it’s not our works that save us.

If you are new to Christianity, then I encourage you to study the Bible. Participate in Bible studies and attend a good, Bible teaching church regularly.

If you consider yourself to be a mature Christian, I encourage you to be an encouragement to others. Be careful of being judgmental or critical. We need to gently help the weaker Christian. We must not cause them to stumble.

If they observe things that are not Biblical, but are manmade traditions or rules or rituals, don’t criticize them for it. We can gently let them know what the Bible says. We should pray for them and encourage them to study the Bible.

Remember you may have a vast amount of Biblical knowledge, but it’s useless if you don’t have love for your brothers and sisters in Christ. We must lovingly walk beside them and set a good example. And as Paul clearly states in Romans 14, don’t allow your freedom in Christ to cause others to sin.

My grandmother used to always tell me, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” It’s our job to mentor and guide younger Christians with kindness and in love. It’s not our job to judge and criticize them. That’s God’s job. And trust me, you don’t want to get caught “playing God.”

Have a great day!