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.

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