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"Why do you judge your brother?"

Text: Romans 14:10

THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST PRECLUDES JUDGMENTALISM

The problem of judging people was a critical one that needed to be resolved. If the problem of being judgmental was not firmly resolved, the church could be torn apart by divisive critical remarks. Paul’s way of resolving the problem of being judgmental was to present a powerful case for the Lordship of Christ.

THE BOND OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD

This was a special gift that God had given to all who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Two powerful ideas are to be found undergirding the concept of being children of God:-

1. A relationship with reference to God

a) We are privileged to be called sons and daughters of God.

b) God relates to us as Father.

c) This relationship is made possible only through Christ’s death on the cross.

2. A relationship with reference to believers

a) We are truly “one” in Christ Jesus.

b) We may indeed speak of being “brethren” to each other.

c) The idea of being “family” is well substantiated in the Epistolary literature.

RAMIFICATIONS OF BEING BRETHREN

There are ramifications to the doctrine of being children of God. Let us ponder the following text carefully.

“But why do you judge your brother?
Or why do you show contempt for your brother?”
Romans 14:10a

1. Two problems are raised up:-

a) Judging a brother

b) Showing contempt for a brother

2. Both are precluded

Both problems should not even exist. There is no cause to judge or to hold a brother in contempt. The proper practice of the Lordship of Christ preclude them.