Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
It becomes obvious the further we go in this chapter that Paul considered the issue of judging those of different convictions a significant issue. For a letter that deals with so many major theological issues, the proportion devoted to this topic is noteworthy. In this verse, Paul again returns to the specific idea of judging one another. As in many cases, he has presented his argument with Scriptural support, logic, experience, and reference to what Jesus has done for us. Based on all of these, he exhorts the readers again to stop judging one another. This might be an issue that arose between Jewish believers, who were hold certain scruples, and Gentiles who came from a different background. These two different worldview collided in the church. Paul is calling for a different third way that is characterized and identified with Jesus Christ. This way is determined by love that puts no stumbling block in the way of others. We do not want to do anything that will make it difficult for another person to be saved and to grow in grace. Some things are clearly against God’s will for all people. We call those universal truths. Other activities are open to personal conviction. Sometimes it is difficult to determine the difference. People tend to make their personal convictions equivalent to universal truths, and so they pass judgment on others who have a different idea. We need wisdom to determine what are universal truths and what are personal convictions. Both of these should be guided by our study of the Bible. What is required, then, is a good methodology for interpreting the Bible, one that works to find the timeless truth behind all texts so that we can know how to apply it in our own situations.
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