Stop Judging: The Weak and the Strong

In Romans 14, Paul addresses an issue that remains as relevant today as it was in the first-century church — our tendency to judge one another over things that aren’t eternal.

The believers in Rome were divided. Some were “strong,” exercising freedom to eat what they wished and treat every day alike. Others were “weak,” choosing stricter practices out of conscience. The problem wasn’t who was right or wrong; it was that they had begun to reject one another instead of accepting one another.

Paul’s message cuts to the heart: “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” (Romans 14:1) He reminds us that God has already accepted both. The moment we start measuring someone else’s faith by our preferences, we step into a role that belongs only to God.

The truth is simple yet challenging: Christ is Lord—not us. We are not the masters of each other’s conscience. We are all servants of the same Lord, and each of us will stand before Him one day to give an account. Remembering that humbles us.

As I preached Sunday, “Stop passing judgment on each other — because soon you’ll stand before the Judge.” That’s not meant to frighten us, but to free us. We don’t have to be the moral referees of the universe. Our job isn’t to control or critique others — it’s to love them.

So, let’s choose acceptance over rejection. Let’s practice humility instead of superiority. Let’s celebrate that the family of God is beautifully diverse. If God welcomes them, who are we to reject them?

This week, I'd like you to look for a way to show grace to someone who sees things differently than you do. When we accept one another as Christ accepted us, God gets the glory — and the world sees Jesus more clearly.