Daily Scripture

Romans 14:10–13

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.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

A little scripture chain this morning to explain (at least as I understand it) a doctrine that gets jumbled. 

The first idea. Paul, in these verses, is specifically talking about two different groups of Christians—those who used to be Jews and followed the strict law of Moses which prohibited eating certain meats and those who used to be Gentiles who didn’t think any meat was unclean. 

He was telling them to quit judging each other in the food they were eating because they didn’t have to stand in judgment TO EACH OTHER at the last day for an accounting, but to GOD. 

Notice the phrases “judgment seat OF CHRIST,” “every knee shall bow TO ME,” “shall confess TO GOD,” and “give an account of himself TO GOD.” 

Paul wasn’t saying, anything goes and you shouldn’t judge your brothers and sisters because there is no standard and no law. Rather, he was saying, don’t be a stumbling block to others in their journey to come closer to God by saying you know the final outcome. 

Here’s the important addition to this teaching as clarified in the Book of Mormon.

1 Nephi 10:18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

1 Nephi 10:21 Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.

2 Nephi 28:32 …nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.

The reason we aren’t to judge is NOT because anything goes and we should just turn our heads to things God has commanded against. 

The reason is because God has prepared the way FOR ALL MEN to have salvation, and that’s through repentance. He makes it clear that if we don’t repent, we will be unclean before Him at the judgment seat and we won’t be worthy of His presence. 

But that last verse reminds us that His arm is stretched out all the day long and He will extend mercy IF WE REPENT. 

So our job in this process? Love others no matter what, and lead them to Christ so they (like we) can repent and come to Him. 

Not judging does not mean condoning sinful behavior. It does not mean embracing lifestyles that go contrary to God’s laws. God Himself said we will each be accountable for our understanding of and adherence to His expectations. 

However, we shouldn’t make a judgment call on how others will end up because God offers repentance to all of us, mercifully, over and over again. We shouldn’t be a stumbling block to others in their repentance process. We should love, love, love and lead, lead, lead to Christ.

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