For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.(8) For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. (9) For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

The letter to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul who writes in our verses that all believers are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ – as Lord of all He will be judge of all and to whom each of us will give an account. Paul is not condemning all judgment of others by the faithful but here is dealing with the subject of judging others on non essential matters where the Bible gives no commands – non essential areas do not affect one’s salvation.

There are scrupulous Christians whose conscience is weak and they are to be kindly received and not condemned particularly in matters not essential. Christian Liberty is not to be given up or denied – we are not to make sinful things which are in themselves indifferent. Our liberty is to be asserted but exercised in such a way for us not to injure others. No Christian considers himself as his/her own master, or at liberty to regulate his own conduct according to his own will or for his own ends but to live according to Christ’s will and for His glory; not live according to our own will or for our own pleasure. Some things are always wrong – fornication and adultery – but not the doubtful thing or morally indifferent things about which Scripture does not specifically speak. Paul is clear that we are not under the Mosaic Law as a system of relating to God and he counsels mutual forbearance. But on moral issues when the Bible gives clear commands, or in essential doctrinal truth we would be wrong NOT to judge others.

The truth in regard to nonessential matters is based on the the fact that the whole life of a Christian belongs not only to himself/herself but to the Lord. So, the all determining significance for Christian conduct is our relation to Christ. Again closing with c.s.Lewis: “Scruples are always a bad thing, if only because they usually distract us from real duties.”