Day 6: To make us stand
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another (Romans 14:19).
Righteous Father, You are the One Lawgiver and Judge—the only One with the power to save or to destroy (James 4:12). To You each of us will give an account of ourselves; for It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will acknowledge God (Romans 14:11-12; Isaiah 45:23).
The apostle Paul in writing to the church in Rome, reminded them of this truth as he discussed the dangers of quarreling over disputable matters (Romans 14:1). Paul warned against [judging] our brother or sister, or [treating] them with contempt (Romans 14:10).
The apostle identified the root cause of pride that leads one person to assume authority over another's actions: "Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand" (Romans 14:4).
Father help us to understand these instructions to be able to apply them correctly. Your word clearly shows us that we do not have the right or the responsibility to judge or to condemn. The Lord Jesus constantly spoke out in strong terms against the hypocritical criticism of the Pharisees, and He caused the accusers of the "woman caught in adultery" to evaluate their own lives (John 8:3-11).
Yet, You teach us much about wisdom, and discernment, and about the need to distinguish between opposing standards—just and unjust; partial and impartial; fair and unfair; moral and immoral; right and wrong. Our Lord Jesus Himself confirmed the need to make these distinctions, "Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly” (John 7:24).
Help us, O Lord, to walk in the way of holiness without wavering, without compromise. You have given us the command, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). At the same time, help us to walk in the way of humility—true humility that leads us to pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which [we] may edify [each other] (Romans 14:19).
May we never seek to elevate ourselves in legalistic matters and put down others. Your word challenges us, For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7). And regarding temptation we are warned, So anyone who thinks he is standing strong should be careful not to fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
The Lord Jesus reminded us, "Apart from Me, You can do nothing" (John 15:5). The same is true for our brothers and sisters. They will stand, for You are able to make them stand. Just as You are able to make us stand. You are their Master, and ours. Help us to live gratefully, humbly, and supportively in the shared grace we have received.
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