Judge T.D. Anderson seated at bench with attorneys and courtroom audience during proceedings
Bible, Judging, Judgment, Love, Romans, Scripture

JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD

ROMANS 14:10

“But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you as well, why do you regard your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God.”

I have only had to appear before a judge in court once. That was for a traffic accident way back in 1984 or 85. I sat in that courtroom for a few hours until my case was called. Then I had to approach the bench, which was at least four feet above me. There the judge sat while the officer gave the details of the accident and said that it was a “no-fault” accident and recommended dismissal. The judge never lifted his eyes from what he was reading. He just banged his gavel and ordered me to pay the fine. The officer shook his head at me, and we walked away.

The judgment seat Paul refers to in today’s verse is the Bema seat. The bema seat was a raised platform which someone had to approach to receive a reward or a punishment. The Topical Lexicon describes it this way. “Paul applies the familiar civic image to Christ’s final evaluation of believers. The context is not condemnation (Romans 8:1) but accountability. Works are tested, motives revealed, and rewards dispensed (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The judicial metaphor lends weight to everyday choices, urging holiness and sincere service.”

APPLICATION

I want all my works to pass the test. I desire they all be done for His glory and not my own. However, I am sure there will be a little smoke when I approach it. Some of the “good” things I have done have not been exactly what He would have had me do. A lot of my worldly achievements will vanish like a vapor. I truly want to lay everything down at His feet and know they are acceptable.

Paul gives this description of believers’ future accountability as he has been discussing how we treat each other. So, this must be a big deal. This must really matter to the Lord. He must really want us to love and respect one another. What do you think? Why else would this be brought up in today’s verse? After all, didn’t Jesus tell us to love another?

So many of our actions are done out of selfishness or jealousy. These can play no part in the life a follower of Christ. Those emotions will lead us to judge each other wrongly and to mistreat others. See your treatment of others as something that must pass the fire test. Will this behavior survive the bema seat? That’s a great question.

Father, help me love in such a way that I know my actions will be meet with approval on that fateful day I appear before You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Wooden cross on a hill with sunset behind and a valley with hills and river
Bible, Death, Life, Lord, Resurrection, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture

DEAD OR ALIVE

ROMANS 14:9

“For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

It is always important to know the reason something is done if you are going to do it. When workers can see the finished product, they are more likely to take interest in their work. If all they see are the piece they assemble time and time again, they will never see the overall purpose of their work. The big picture helps, doesn’t it?

Christ saw the big picture. Nothing escaped His view. He knew exactly why He came to earth. He knew His mission and faithfully carried it out. Paul tells us in today’s verse what that mission was – to become our Lord here and in eternity. What a glorious promise. When we choose to follow the Lord and accept His free gift of salvation, He becomes our Lord and Savior for now and forever. Nothing can change that.

APPLICATION

I immediately thought of Paul’s words back in chapter 8, verses 38-39. “38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” To borrow a phrase from an old friend, “That’s shouting ground, folks!”

Jesus lived to be our Lord. Every day He walked this earth, He was Lord. When He laid down His life as a sacrifice for mankind, He was Lord. And when He rose from the grave, He was Lord. He was, is and always will be Lord. Hallelujah! C.S. Lewis’ famous apologetic “Lord, Liar or Lunatic” says it all. He knew who He was, therefore, He could claim it.

The question is do you know Him as Lord? We know that one day every knee will bow and profess Him as Lord. To those of us who have already made that decision, it will be a moment of celebration and praise. But for those who die without Christ, their profession will be too late. They will suffer the pain of eternity separated from a holy God. If you don’t know Jesus as Lord, don’t waste another second. Get on your knees right now and confess your sins and choose to follow Him as your Lord. He is waiting.

Thank You for being my Lord and Savior. I rest in the knowledge of Your Lordship which is over everything and everyone.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Wooden signpost with arrows labeled 'Living' pointing left and 'Dying' pointing right on a rural dirt path.
Bible, dying, Eternal Life, Eternity, Living, Romans, Scripture

LIVE OR DIE

ROMANS 14:8

“for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Living and dying. That’s really what it boils down to, isn’t it? How we decide to live our lives here on planet earth may determine the quality of our life and could determine the way we die. I am not afraid of dying. In fact, I welcome it. Before you call the crisis help line, I mean I have chosen to embrace the certainty of death knowing where I will be the instant I take my last breath. I am the Lord’s.

Paul says as much in today’s verse. He says, “whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Paul wrote this letter to the Romans while he was in Corinth, almost a full decade before he was beheaded in Rome. Isn’t it ironic that he penned these words to the very city where he would die? Paul wasn’t afraid to die. He knew the Lord had him on a mission, and he was safe as long as he stayed in His will. God would take him home when He was ready for him and not a day sooner.

APPLICATION

In Philippians 1:21-22, Paul addresses this life or death question. “21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.” Even though death may be a welcome thing for a follower of Christ, God can still use us here to spread the Gospel. We have work to be done, or as Paul says, “fruitful labor.”

Look again at what Paul says. If we live, we live for the Lord. We live to glorify the Master. We live to please Him and live according to His will. While we are here on this earth, as a follower of Christ, I belong to Him. Everything I am, everything I own belongs to Him. I am nothing compared to Jesus. To borrow the words of John the Baptist in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

And then when we die, we also belong to Him. As a follower of Christ, I am guaranteed a front row seat with Jesus. How about that? Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that we prefer to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Wherever that may be, I am His. I will exist in eternity to glorify Him. Shouldn’t I be practicing that down here? I want to be well prepared to praise my Maker one day, don’t you?

Father God, I praise You that I am Yours whether I live or die.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Family, Humility, Living, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture, Service

NOT FOR OURSELVES

ROMANS 14:7

“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;”

I never knew what it meant to live for someone else until I got married and had children. Now, as a man who pursues the Lord’s will, I know my life comes second to my wife, children and grandchildren. My role as provider and protector is paramount. It is no longer about what I want. It’s about what is best for them. Even that has changed as my children have grown and have children of their own. My wife and I are empty nesters, but my priority is still my family.

Paul brings out a major teaching for these Roman believers and for us. As followers of Christ, our life is not our own. Albert Barnes says, “The meaning of the expression is, that no Christian lives to gratify his own inclinations or appetites. He makes it his great aim to do the will of God; to subordinate all his desires to his Law and gospel;” That is exactly right. Because Jesus gave His all for us, we are expected to do the same for others.

APPLICATION

I am currently taking a man in Belize through our Every Man A Warrior curriculum. We are in book 2 which is about Marriage and Children. I made the remark this week that I believe applies to our verse today. I said, “Isn’t it interesting that almost every husband would give his physical life to protect his wife but won’t die to himself for her?” Isn’t that right? We say that we would die for Christ, but we won’t lay down our own rights for Him.

Perhaps no other passage in Scripture says it better than 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with.”

Are you loving that way? Are you living that way? Read those verses again. After each “love is” ask yourself if that describes your life and your love for others. We are to live for others, not ourselves. We should not hold our lives so tightly that we are not free to let it go. Jesus can give you the strength you need to die to yourself. Not I, but Christ!

I praise You, O Lord, for giving me the strength and humility to die to myself daily. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Elderly woman sitting in church pew with hands clasped in prayer
Bible, Gratitude, Love, Praise, Romans, Scripture, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Worship

GIVE THANKS TO GOD

ROMANS 14:6

“The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, does so with regard to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God.”

Are you a thankful person? Or do you gripe and complain about everything? Usually, people are one or the other. I think I am a pretty grateful person. Often when I stop to think of what God has blessed me with, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I have to admit, though, I can gripe sometimes. It’s the age old complaint – why do the wicked prosper? But I have to trust the Lord to provide according to what He has planned for me and be grateful for what I have. Right?

Paul brings up the topic of giving thanks to God in today’s verse in the midst of this discussion about not judging other believers. Forget about the importance or unimportance of certain days. These are the examples Paul is using to teach a bigger truth. Today that is to be grateful to God. I am reminded of Colossians 3:17 which reads, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “gives thanks” is euxaristéō, and it means just that – to be grateful. 25 of the 38 times it is used in the New Testament are at the hand of Paul in his letters. The Topical Lexicon says, “the verb frames gratitude as an intentional God-directed act.” Both times in today’s verse the verb is in the Present Indicative Active. In other words, it is something we should be continually doing.

In 1 Corinthians 1:4, Paul writes, “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,” Shouldn’t that be our response in regard to other believers? Instead of nick picking about unimportant issues, we should be giving thanks they know Jesus. Instead of arguing and judging others in the church, we should be building them up and encouraging them.

We have all been guilty of being ungrateful. Can I get a witness? But we must be more grateful for our fellow believers. As the days get harder and harder for Christians, we are going to need each other more than ever. We can’t let denominational differences or styles of worship separate us. Let us give thanks to God for all He has done in and through us. We are one body – the Body of Christ.

I am grateful, Lord, for all You have done for me and others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Elderly woman with an ash cross on forehead, wearing scarf and coat
Bible, Celebrate, Freedom, Judging, Law, Romans, Scripture, Worship

ONE DAY OVER ANOTHER

ROMANS 14:5

“One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.”

All through Christendom there has been a debate about which day(s) should be observed by Christians as more holy than others. For some denominations, Ash Wednesday is a very holy day that precedes the Easter season on the first day of Lent. Others hold strictly to Easter Sunday and Christmas as the most holy days. Some believe you should worship on Saturdays (the Jewish Sabbath) while others adhere to Sundays.

Paul includes this debate in his instructions to the readers of this letter. Go back and read Romans 14:1-4. You will see that Paul is trying to show them that judging others, no matter the issue, is not what God intended. The Jewish believers still held to many of the Jewish festivals. They were family occasions and times to gather and celebrate. These were hard to just stop. So, Gentile believers or Jewish believers who had ceased recognizing those days should not be critical.

APPLICATION

In Galatians 4:10-11, Paul warns the young believers, “10 You meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.” Of course, Galatians was written in part to defend against the influences of the Judaizers, the ones who taught that Gentiles should follow the Mosaic law in addition to following Jesus. No! We are free from the restraints of such laws.

The same held true as Paul wrote to the Colossian believers. In Colossians 2:16 we read, “Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day—” This was a wide-spread issue, not just isolated in Rome. Paul’s desire was for all believers to dwell in unity and not argue about things that did not pertain to their salvation in Christ Jesus.

After all, Paul had been a Pharisee. If anyone would have wanted to hold on to the ceremonial law which had driven his life, he would. But Paul knew Jesus had come to fulfill the Law and set all men free from the impossible demands. God gave Moses the Law to guide and prepare the Jewish nation. Man had corrupted it and added burdensome regulations. Paul is saying, “Enough is enough! Those days are no longer binding. Live in harmony.” Let’s agree to not be critical of others who celebrate Jesus differently than we do. Amen?

Father, You have brought us all into one family. Help us keep the family united.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Judging, Judgment, Masters, Obedience, Romans, Scripture, Servant

ANSWER TO THE MASTER

ROMANS 14:4

“Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

Did you ever watch the tv series Downton Abbey? The storyline had as much to do with the servants as it did Lord Graham and his family. These servants’ jobs were to cater to every whim and fancy of the Grahams. Other aristocrats who had servants had no authority over the Grahams’ servants or vice versa. It was a society steeped in tradition and long standing observances.

Paul uses the analogy of servant and master today to illustrate what he has been teaching about judging others. A servant during Paul’s time answered only to his master. No one had the right to judge that servant on the way they served their master. Only the master did. What is Paul saying? God will judge us for our service to Him. No one else has that right. As followers of Christ, we answer to one Lord. We are responsible to do what He tells us, no matter what others may think.

APPLICATION

Barnes says, “Christians are the servants of God; they are answerable to him; and ‘we’ have no right to usurp ‘His’ place, and to act as if we were ‘lords over His heritage;’” Peter tells the elders in 1 Peter 5:2-3, “2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock.” He goes on to say if they do this God promises them a crown of glory. Wow!

In James 4:12, we are told, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you, judging your neighbor?” As Paul says in the last phrase of today’s verse, “for the Lord is able to make him stand.” We are beholden to no one except our Father in heaven. He has the right to judge us and forgive us. He is the one who will “make us stand.” Many scholars agree that this refers to our security of salvation.

Are you passing judgment on others? Are you judgmental of what a person wears and what they eat? As long as that person is not doing anything that goes against the teachings of Christ, we must show tolerance and acceptance. I didn’t say this was going to be easy. I struggle reconciling this in my own life at times. However, we all must bow to the wisdom of God in these things and trust that He sees the big picture. Just love each other.

Father, I do struggle at times accepting others who think differently than me. Help me accept them because You love them and desire to see them become more like Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Text reading 'Contempt and Condemnation' with words scowling judgment, scorn, censure, rejection in a grungy, cracked concrete background
Bible, Scripture, Prejudice, Judgment, Condemnation, Judging, Romans, contempt

CONTEMPT AND CODEMNATION

ROMANS 14:3

“The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.”

We continue Paul’s instruction to the Roman believers in regard to how to treat fellow believers. I am constantly amazed at how Christians treat each other. So many in the church have no clue what the Word says about that. They excuse their behaviors and can be downright mean to other believers. Paul did not want that to be the legacy of the early church. He knew they needed each other.

Paul uses a couple of words in today’s verse that are kind of harsh – “contempt” and “judge.” I need to remind you that the issue at hand really wasn’t about food or drink. Paul is addressing how to behave, how to encourage one another. These early believers faced enough persecution from the Roman government. He did want to see them persecuting each other.

APPLICATION

The word “contempt” is the Greek word eksouthenéō “(from ek, ‘completely out from,’ which intensifies outheneō, ‘bring to naught, reduce to nothing’) – properly, cast out as nothing; set at nought; ‘to count as nothing, to treat with utter contempt, i.e. as zero’ (WP, 2, 281); ‘set at nought, despise utterly’ (A-S); to regard something as lacking any standing (value).” (HELPS Word-studies) That’s a tough one. We see it used ten other times in the New Testament. One of those is Luke 23:11. “And Herod, together with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, dressing Him in a brightly shining robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.” Now, let me ask you, is that how you want to treat other believers? I hope not.

The other word Paul uses, “judge,” is the Greek word krínō. It’s a commonly used word in the New Testament, appearing 115 times. J. Thayer comments that “the proper meaning of krínō is to pick out (choose) by separating.” Did I ever tell you about one of the first churches I served? It was in North Carolina during my seminary days. The church (mostly family members) had an ongoing feud over hunting. One group deer hunted with dogs and the other didn’t. These family members sat on opposite sides of the church and wouldn’t fellowship together. They had judged each other and separated themselves. How sad?

Paul wanted these believers to love one another and accept each other’s decisions about this food issue. We might say, “Don’t make a mountain out of molehill.” Let the small stuff slide and concentrate on living holy lives dedicated to the Lord and each other. Let me encourage you to do the same.

Let me not show contempt or judge a fellow believer but love them as You would, Lord.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Plate of grilled steak with pork belly and herbs next to a plate of assorted roasted vegetables including broccoli, carrots, peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and onion
Bible, Faith, Freedom, Meat, Romans, Scripture, Vegetables

MEATEATER VS VEGETARIAN

ROMANS 14:2

“One person has faith that he may eat all things, but the one who is weak eats only vegetables.”

Did you know the Indian word for “vegetarian” means bad hunter? Lol. Not really but that is kind of funny. I can’t for the life of me understand anyone who would deprive themselves of a nice, juicy cheeseburger or thick slice of bacon. But that’s just me. I have lots of friends who have chosen a vegan or vegetarian diet for health reasons. I can respect that. This was a religious issue in Paul’s time. Let’s look at today’s verse as he begins this discussion.

Let me say first of all that this was not about food or drink. That was just the issue that revealed the deeper conflict – mature believers vs immature believers. In the day Paul was writing this, there were a lot a believing Jews who were concerned about eating meat that had not been prepared according to the Old Testament guidelines. There were Gentile believers who were afraid they might eat meat that had been offered to pagan idols. Therefore, both of these groups just avoided meat. This caused conflict with those who felt they were free to eat whatever they chose. Paul begins this discussion describing this difference of belief.

APPLICATION

In regard to this conflict, Matthew Henry says, “We usurp the place of God, when we take upon us thus to judge the thoughts and intentions of others, which are out of our view.” I had friends in seminary who refused to go out to eat on Sundays because that would force someone to serve them. They felt Sundays were a day of rest. I was told time and time again growing up that I couldn’t go fishing on Sunday. I don’t why my mama believed that. Maybe she just didn’t want to get stuck cooking fish on Sundays, lol.

Differences in things that are not clearly defined in Scripture should never divide the body of Christ. Now, there are some very definite commands we should all follow. On those we must agree. But what to eat or not eat should not be one of them. Remember Peter’s dream in Acts 10:9-16? God told him, “‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’” Peter knew later that this dream had more to do with accepting the Gentiles as believers than about what was clean or unclean to eat.

Let us all agree to do all we can to encourage our fellow believers in their walk. Don’t let minor discrepancies become a wedge that the devil can use to undermine the stability of the body of Christ. He will use anything to do that. Love at all costs. Accept the weaker in faith in order to disciple them and teach them the freedom we have in Christ. Amen?

Thank You, Lord, for the freedom we have in Christ. Let us continue to build each other up.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Man and woman shouting angrily at each other in a living room
Bible, Faith, Maturity, Opinions, Quarrels, Romans, Scripture

STOP THE QUARRELING

ROMANS 14:1

“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not to have quarrels over opinions.”

Do you know people who are quick to judge others? Boy, I’ve met a few people like that in my lifetime. You know what they say, “Don’t point your finger at someone. You have three other fingers pointing back at you.” Christians can be the worst at doing this. I have to admit; I have fallen guilty of that once or twice. It’s easy to think your way is the right way and everyone else is wrong.

Paul covers a topic in Romans 14 that we all have to deal with. We all need to know how to treat others in the fellowship of believers, especially young, immature believers who have not been taught how to study the Word and live accordingly. The word “quarrels” can mean to pass judgment. There we go! That’s what we can be guilty of so quickly. But Paul tells us in verse 1 today that we must “accept the one who is weak in faith.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “quarrels” is diákrisisand is only used two other times in the New Testament. I like how the New Living Translation puts this verse. “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.” If you have Blue Letter Bible or Bible Hub, check out several other translations of this verse. The bottom line is we are not to judge a weaker brother or sister. We should welcome them into the fellowship and take the opportunity to disciple them.

In 1 Corinthians 12:10, diákrisis is translated as “distinguishing” referring to the gift of distinguishing of spirits. In Hebrews 5:14 it is used to “distinguish between good and evil.” So diákrisis isn’t a negative word. We should be able to distinguish what a weaker brother/sister is saying without turning them out or refusing fellowship. Let me quick to say, however, that if that weaker brother/sister is not willing to hear what the Word of God says about an issue, this could lead to issues. Be careful of condoning any sinful behavior they may be still harboring.

We will see the issue at hand for these Roman believers had to do with food and drink. We will take a closer look at that in the next few verses. Paul is instructing us who are more mature in the faith to take the lead and disciple those immature believers. Disciple-making is a skill that is lacking in so many churches today. Let me take this opportunity to point you to the ministry I am a part of Every Man A Warrior (www.everymanawarrior.com). Check out our resources and let us know if we can help you build a strong disciple-making ministry in your church.

Lord God, help me a faithful instructor to those who are in need of growing in the faith.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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