READ Romans 14:1-13

The fourteenth chapter of Romans deals with a controversy in the Roman church. Paul addresses the conflict between those who adhered to certain personal convictions regarding eating and observing special days. The greater principle is that God’s people ought not to criticize brethren with whom they do not completely agree, especially in matters which do not involve doctrine or principle.

This morning we will focus upon Romans 14:10-11, "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

vs 10 Paul the Apostle begins by posing a question, "But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought they brother?" In this context, he returned to his charge in verse three.  Why do we criticize our brothers with whom we may not totally agree? Or why do we look down on one who does not hold the same position we hold? To "set at nought" is the same word as “despise” in verse 3.  In both cases, it has the idea of looking down upon another.  With that being established he states, "for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."  It should be noted that we all are His servants, and we will give an account to Him.  Rather than criticizing another’s servants (in this case, the Lord’s), we ought to be sensitive to the fact that we ourselves will stand before Him someday.  The phrase ‘judgment seat’ is translated from the word ‘bema’. It refers to the place where a Roman or Greek judge sat in judgment. It implies judgment both judicial as well as non-judicial. In regard to the former, Pilate sat upon his judgment seat (bema) when he passed sentence on Jesus.  However, the word also was used of judges who officiated the Greek games and awarded the victors’ crown to the winner. It is in that sense the word evidently is used in II Corinthians 5:10. Here, along with II Corinthians 5:10, are the only two places that refer specifically to the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is that time after the Rapture when all those in Christ will stand before Him and give an account of how they have discharged their Christian lives. They then also will receive rewards according to that which they have done. Those likely will be the various crowns described in the New Testament as well as assigned position, rank, and reward in the coming kingdom.  

vs. 11 The apostle quotes from Isaiah 45:23 in describing the solemnity of that day. “As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Who is the perfect Judge?  Who are the imperfect judges?

2.  We are all guilty of judging others at times—even fellow believers. Why is it particularly wrong for you to judge another believer?

3.  Why is it so easy to judge others?  Why do we fail to judge ourselves?

4.  Describe what will take place at the Judgment Seat of Christ? 

5.  What impact will be less judging have on you? Those around you? The Lord?