We continue our study of the Book of Romans. Picking up at verse 10 of Chapter 14, we are asked to look at the issue of judging one another. It is so easy to fall into this practice, and strangely, most of the time we do not even realize we are doing it. The bottom line is we do not have the authority to judge each other, so we have to be keenly aware of what we are thinking about our brothers, and sisters. The Holy Spirit gives Paul these words. He said,
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or Sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat. It is written:
‘As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will acknowledge and confess to God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” (Romans 14:10-12)
As is stated in the Word, each person is accountable to Christ. And when it is time, they will indeed give an account of themselves to Christ, but not to others. As a body, we are asked to be uncompromising in the body of Christ – as the Church body that represents Christ to the visible world. We are asked to stand against things in the body that will not be in our good interest, or represent who we really are. We are asked to stand against things of the flesh, such as adultery, theft, murder, sexual immorality, hatred, discord, envey, drunkeness, jealousy, selfish ambition, etc. (Galatians 6:19-20.) One or more of these things can and may happen to a believing Christian, but there again we do not judge that person. It can bring sickness to the Church body if too much emphasis is put on it, and it is dwelt upon. We may fall into one of these because of allowing ourselves to go too far in the flesh in an area while not being aware of it until it is too late. All of a sudden, we are there even though we did not intend to be. But when we present ourselves to our Lord of Grace, the Word says we will be forgiven if we repent, give an account of ourselves to God, ask our Lord sincerely for forgiveness and have a sincere desire to turn from whatever the mistake was. Christ Jesus stepped in for us, and died on a cross to give us that privilege. That is why we go to Him. May we never let that gift be misused, or neglected.
The Word says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Holy Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6: 7-9.) Let us never judge, but rather always give an account of ourselves to our God of Love. Only He can cleanse us, and set us free from sin and the destruction of it.
Blessings and love upon each of you, God’s Beloveds. Let us remember daily how very much we are Divinely Loved, and never hesitate to go to our Lord of Love asking Him to show us the right Way.
For He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.