Jesus Christ is Lord
Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
We need to get this through our head, Jesus Christ is Lord. Not you, not me, but Jesus Christ, the son of God, the firstborn from the dead, He is Lord. He is the judge. He is the master and we all are His servants. When you have a supreme commander He will give many different ones different orders. Some may be sent to infiltrate the enemy, others may sit and listen to the radio to intercept transmissions, still others may fly the bombers, or refuel the bombers, and still others man the guard posts. Everyone is essential, including the cook who prepares the food.
10 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.
Why? It isn't a rhetorical question. Don't you think the enemy would love to divide the army by having everyone judge each other? Don't you think the enemy would love for us to set an nought each other, shake each others faith, cause some to stumble and backslide? When you judge and set an nought each other you are falling for Satan's temptation. This is a team sport, it takes all of us to do our part.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
This isn't a non sequitor. Why are you judging your brother? Because you are not bowing your knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. Why are you setting at nought your brother? Because you are not bowing your knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is the son of God and through Him all things have been created.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Imagine you appear before that throne and you are asked to give account of why you were setting at nought some brother or judging some brother and at that moment you learn that brother or sister was serving the Lord, they were being faithful, and they had a special assignment from Him. I think I would be filled with shame if that were me trying to defend myself.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
It is one thing for me to look at some Youtube channel and dismiss it, decide I'm not going to "waste my time with that". I may discover at the judgment seat that was a mistake. My error was in not lifting it up to the Lord, asking Him what He wants me to look at. I will need to repent for that. But, what would be much worse is if I decide I need to go on a crusade against this brother or sister's channel without taking that to the Lord. Imagine I build a whole ministry on trying to debunk this brother or sister without taking that to the Lord. This will be much more serious.
Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
We need to get this through our head, Jesus Christ is Lord. Not you, not me, but Jesus Christ, the son of God, the firstborn from the dead, He is Lord. He is the judge. He is the master and we all are His servants. When you have a supreme commander He will give many different ones different orders. Some may be sent to infiltrate the enemy, others may sit and listen to the radio to intercept transmissions, still others may fly the bombers, or refuel the bombers, and still others man the guard posts. Everyone is essential, including the cook who prepares the food.
10 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.
Why? It isn't a rhetorical question. Don't you think the enemy would love to divide the army by having everyone judge each other? Don't you think the enemy would love for us to set an nought each other, shake each others faith, cause some to stumble and backslide? When you judge and set an nought each other you are falling for Satan's temptation. This is a team sport, it takes all of us to do our part.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
This isn't a non sequitor. Why are you judging your brother? Because you are not bowing your knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. Why are you setting at nought your brother? Because you are not bowing your knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is the son of God and through Him all things have been created.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Imagine you appear before that throne and you are asked to give account of why you were setting at nought some brother or judging some brother and at that moment you learn that brother or sister was serving the Lord, they were being faithful, and they had a special assignment from Him. I think I would be filled with shame if that were me trying to defend myself.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
It is one thing for me to look at some Youtube channel and dismiss it, decide I'm not going to "waste my time with that". I may discover at the judgment seat that was a mistake. My error was in not lifting it up to the Lord, asking Him what He wants me to look at. I will need to repent for that. But, what would be much worse is if I decide I need to go on a crusade against this brother or sister's channel without taking that to the Lord. Imagine I build a whole ministry on trying to debunk this brother or sister without taking that to the Lord. This will be much more serious.