There Is No Condemnation

Good Morning,

Romans 14:13 (NIV)
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Romans 14:13 (NIV)
So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

When I received the verse we read today from Romans 14, it immediately brought to mind the verse from Romans 8. These verses together, unfortunately, caused my mind to also think about the fact that there are still those of us, good "God fearing" Christians, who judge and even condemn other good "God fearing" Christians because of some minor detail in how they choose to worship and express their love for the Lord.

I asked myself if I might be among those who judge or condemn some of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Although I don't think that I truly condemn anyone, I have to admit that from time to time I am human and judge some of the ways that people prefer to worship God. I guess many of us do that...at least from time to time. We have some brothers who will say that the Catholics are too tied up in their vestments and strict order of service. There are Baptists who don't like the fact that there are Pentecostals who raise their hands and voices in service. There...well, you know, it seems that there's something "wrong" with other denominations who might be a bit different than we are in how we go about our worship services.

I know that seems somewhat negative and it probably is, at least somewhat. But it is also the truth and it needs to be discussed from time to time lest we get too comfortable in our "judgement" and/or "condemnation" because of our differences. That's why it is so very important...imperative!...that we remember Romans 8:1, "Therefore, THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus."

You see, we should celebrate our differences because we know that there is no condemnation! It's great that I can visit a congregation where people worship differently than I normally do. It's a wonderful experience to be with others who can show me their excitement and zeal in how they worship and glorify God. It is good for all of us to every once in a while get out of our "rut" (well, that's a bad word I guess) of our "normal" ways of worship and explore other people's "normal." I think that for the most part we will truly enjoy what we experience. I know that I have.

So, when we find ourselves kind of putting down (judging) other denomination's ways of worship, we really have to remember that they are Christians every bit as much as we are. When we begin to condemn this congregation or that because they choose to celebrate the Lord differently, we have to bring to the forefront of our minds that they love the Lord just as we do.

Truly, "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Let us never forget that and let us be much, much more accepting of all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David