“So why do you condemn another believer*? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all
stand before the judgment seat of God.” Romans 14:10
The
Apostle Paul is addressing the Jewish believers who are judging gentile
believers. The same could be said of
modern day Christians who look down on both fellow believers and the unsaved
alike. We have no right to speak ill of any one,
whether brother or sister in Christ or an unregenerate soul. What gives a person the right to think of himself
as more worthy than another man? It is nothing more than pride and
conceit. Paul is shocked that these
believers could be so oblivious to their own need of mercy.
A tribunal
is coming; the White Throne Judgment of Almighty God. There all wrongs shall be righted and the
wheat shall be separated from the chaff.
The chaff is the husk around a piece of grain. The husk is of little or no value and is
normally tossed aside. We shall all give
an account of ourselves before God one day.
The Lord loves us all equally.
Scripture clearly points out that God does not play favorites in Acts
10:34, “Then Peter replied, ‘I see very
clearly that God shows no favoritism.’” And again in Romans 2:11, “For
God does not show favoritism.” Those who
live according to God’s precepts shall be counted as wheat. Those who have squandered their life living what amounts to nothing more than a sham
of a life will find out too late that all the “things” they did in Jesus name amounted to nothing because God is
looking for obedience over sacrifice. “But
Samuel replied, ‘What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and
sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than
sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.’” (1 Samuel
15:22)
Obey God and
avoid the condemnation or condescension toward another. It is arrogant and unseemly. Be more concerned about your own walk with
Christ rather than sit in judgment of another.
Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Resources: James
Burton Coffman’s Commentary of the Bible; Matthew Henry’s Commentary of the
Bible; Barnes’ Notes on the Bible.
* In the Greek it reads “your brother” instead
of “another believer”.
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