Sunday Devotions - Judging others

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.  Romans 14:5-10

Many times as I read through the New Testament it amazes me that the young fledgling church led by Peter and Paul ever survived. There was so much bickering between the Christians. Although the church all believed in the Jesus as Messiah, there were still divisions and between Jew and Gentile. The groups were quick to point fingers and judge each others wrong doings.

"They eat the wrong foods."

"They aren't circumcised." 

"They aren't singing right or praying right or..."

It sounds like bickering between kids doesn't it? Whew, thank goodness our modern church doesn't bicker and judge like that! Or do we? A lot of people in this world view Christians as being extremely judgemental. 

Honestly, can you say you've never looked at another Christian denomination other than your own and say to yourself, "Well isn't that weird." or "How can they worship like that?" or "That's just wrong!" 

I've said those things more than I care to admit. I've attended churches who don't allow women in leadership positions and I thought it was wrong. I live in a community where many Mennonites live and it is very easy to judge them as living and worshiping the 'wrong way'. 

But...it isn't our job to judge. Those other Christian denominations and their living and worship practices? They aren't doing that for me or for you. They are living and worshiping, in their way, for the Lord. So it's never for us to say that the way they are living is wrong; that's the Lord's job. My job is to love those other Christians, and everyone else, no matter how they worship, and to live my life for the Lord alone. A simple job that takes a mighty lot of work. 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the words that remind us that our lives are for you and you alone, and that the Christian lives of others are none our business. That's your business. Bless me in love Lord that I may continue to show Your love to all, no matter what their beliefs. Amen.