Opinion or judging

Acts 14:10-13, “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this–not to be a stumbling block in a brother’s way.” Too often we cross the thin line from opinion to judgment. The New Oxford dictionary defines opinion as “a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.” In Acts 14, Paul brought to the attention of the church that they were becoming a stumbling block to their brothers. Acts 14:20 tells us, “Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.” Jesus gave us a new commandment to follow in John 13:34-35. He says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” We are to love as Jesus did. God knew that followers would struggle with love. In Acts 10:10-15, God showed Peter in a vision a great sheet coming down to the ground. It had all kinds of four-footed animals, crawling creatures and birds. He told Peter to “Arise, kill and eat.” Peter said, “Lord, I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” God’s words in verse 15 should be a stern warning to us. “And again, a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no long consider unholy.” We are not to tear down the work of God. We are to love one another, as Christ loves us. We are not to be a stumbling block because of what we think or give an opinion or judgment not based on fact or knowledge. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.” Love one another as Christ loves you.