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Romans 14:10–12
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10).
In Romans 14:4, Paul asked rhetorically, “Who are you to judge another’s servant?” He was asking what qualified any of the Roman Christians to question the salvation of another based on some behavior in the realm of “doubtful things.” The answer, of course, is nothing, for God’s will is unknown in such areas and believers must assume that the other Christian is trying to live for God. Besides, God can and does enable those who are His to continue steadfastly in the faith, even though their actions may cause other believers to wonder about their salvation. Thus, Paul can ask those who are weak in the faith, “Why do you judge your brother?” And he can ask those who are stronger, “Why do you show contempt for your brother?”
Of course, Paul’s injunction that Christians not judge one another over “doubtful things” doesn’t mean there will not be a judgment. In fact, God someday will summon all people, even believers, before His judgment seat, where they will suffer His wrath or be delivered from it because of their faith in Christ. But before the lost go away into their eternal punishment, they will bow the knee to God. Just as God says in Isaiah 45:23, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
Christians, of course, will not face the threat of condemnation at God’s judgment seat, as will unbelievers. But, as Paul says, “each of us shall give account of himself to God.” All believers will be asked to explain their actions and the underlying motives, and will receive rewards based on God’s evaluation. The Greek phrase translated “judgment seat of Christ” in verse 10 illustrates this truth quite well, for it contains the word bema, which “refers not to the judge’s seat in a court of law but to the bench upon which the referees or judges sat at an athletic contest,” Dr. James M. Boice writes. “It was the place from which those who did well in the contest and triumphed were rewarded with a laurel wreath and from which those who broke the rules were disqualified or disapproved.” Therefore, when it comes to “doubtful things,” we need not worry as to whether our brothers and sisters are living properly. We simply have no way of knowing, for God has not revealed His will in these areas. But He knows, and someday He will judge every believer’s success in living for Him.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
In order to know which things are “doubtful,” we must first know which things are not. If we know God’s revealed will, we will know when to exhort other believers to change their ways and when to refrain. Whenever you have questions about another believer’s conduct, seek to understand what, if anything, the Bible says about it.
For Further Study
- 1 Corinthians 9:25–27
- 2 Corinthians 5:10
- Philippians 3:12–14
- 2 Timothy 4:7–8