ABOVE OUR PAY GRADE
ROMANS 14:10-13 NKJV
10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
"As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God."
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.
Paul is continuing the theme of how we are to treat one another. Chapter 14 is a great discourse on not judging. This chapter makes it abundantly clear that judging is above our pay grade.
A big item in the early church was over food. What foods could be eaten, and which foods were taboo? Also, the issue of observing certain days or not observing them was addressed.
The bottom line is that these were minor issues. What your brother ate or avoided was not worth judging. After all, they are not our servants; they report to the Lord.
In our verses for today, Paul gets even more pointed. He asks why the judging or showing contempt. Because, and it's a big because, we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
We will stand and give an account of ourselves to God. This is not to determine our salvation and entrance into heaven. Rather, this is a give account of what we have done for God's kingdom while we are here on the earth.
Knowing we will have to give an account of ourselves to God should keep us busy enough. When it's all said and done, what other people do is not going to matter. We are responsible before God for our actions.
APPLICATION:
Following the directives in these verses would solve a multitude of problems.
In verse 13, Paul sums it up. Don't judge one another but rather make a resolve. Resolve not to do anything that causes our brother or sister to stumble in their walk with the Lord.
I can't judge what's in someone's heart. I don't have to follow them, but it's not my place to judge them. Plus, I have found that over the years, I have needed mercy from God and others. So, my resolve is to be a blessing and sow mercy. Judging is above my pay grade.
PRAYER:
Lord, You are the only one qualified to judge. Help me to not cause my brothers and sisters in the Lord to stumble.