A few days ago I wrote a post that highlighted some verses that go beyond the typical “do not judge” slogan. Today I want to even the scales a bit and mention a situation where judgement should still be avoided.

There are some doctrines in the Bible that are non-negotiable (i.e. if someone claims that Jesus didn’t come in the flesh then we shouldn’t invite them into our home according to 2 John 1:7-11). Not every belief falls into this category. Consider the following verses:

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. - Romans 14:1-4

Many issues are matters of opinion. Should we eat meat or vegetables? It doesn’t matter. Don’t let it be an issue of fellowship. Did Jesus come in the flesh? It does matter, and it always will. People that are able to clearly distinguish the important issues from the matters of opinion are the ones who will avoid the extremes of having no standard or making everything the ultimate standard.