3182.-Judge Not by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 12, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 27.

3182.—Judge Not

By Editor

Please explain Romans 14. M. E. B.

Our inquirers must be more specific. Romans 14 covers a large field. We might use this entire page in the explanation of the chapter and still not touch the point upon which our inquirer desires information. We would say in general, however, that the fourteenth chapter of Romans is largely given for two things: first, we should not judge or condemn other believers; and secondly, we should be exceedingly careful of our own conduct, so that we may stand acquitted before God. The apostle is not dealing with what might be called essentials in the eating and drinking and days, etc. The one great essential which has been set before us in Romans is faith in God, and that faith which will lead to implicit obedience; and yet the apostle supposes that there may be differences between brethren. These differences may take the form of eating and drinking; they may take the form of the observances of feasts and holy days, as they doubtless did in the days of the apostle, some of the converts being Jewish and still observing the Passover, the Atonement, and so on. The chapter tells us that those who may observe these things should not be condemned. To their own Master they stand or fall. He who would condemn his brethren, would better look to his own case; because he must appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, and he too must be careful not to put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. The great important thing is faith; but that faith is worthless unless it comes right home to the individual heart. "Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God." If our readers will keep in mind these great thoughts in the chapter, they will have no trouble with any of its details.