Romans 14:9-12 (NIV)
For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Paul’s main argument about not judging a brother (or sister) for their debatable scruples continues along its main track in verse 13. But he was briefly pulled in another direction as he was dictating this letter to Tertius (Romans 16:22) by his statement in verse 8 that whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Paul expands on this point by reminding the Roman Christians that Jesus not only died, so that He can be judge of the dead, He rose again, so that He is legitimately the judge of the living as well. He has delegated this privilege of judgment in part to the Church as His representatives (Matthew 16:19), but ultimately, He is the judge.
This authority that He has delegated to the Church is only legitimate as it deals with legitimate sin, not in debatable areas or societal norms that do not go against God’s commandments. That was the trap that the Pharisees and teachers of the law had fallen into. They had expanded on God’s laws, and then demanded that people be as devoted to the expansion that they had built as they were to the commandment itself.
Paul’s point is that, aside from pointing out legitimate sin to our fellow Christians (Matthew 18:15-20) in an effort to move them to repentance so that they can be preserved, it is best for each person to focus on their own standing with God. Because, in the end, each person will come before God’s throne, not to give an accounting of others, but to give an accounting of their own life and obedience.
Father, one of the most basic facts of life, not just of faith, is that our lives here on earth are temporary. Before we know it, even if we live to be 100, we will find ourselves finished with this life and standing before Your throne for judgment. And You are right when You say that, at that moment, You won’t be asking us to give a report on someone else. All we can testify to is how we have lived for and obeyed You. Help us, Lord, to live each day as if it were our last, with our focus on keeping our connection with You rock solid, and on listening to and obeying Your voice. That way, when we stand before You on the day of judgment, we won’t be ashamed. Amen.