You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

– Romans 14:10-19 (NIV)

Paul’s words are a powerful reminder for us all. How often do we spend our time judging others? How many times do we allow thoughts of, “at least I’m not like ________.”, run through our heads?

Yet, Paul wants the listener to pause and reflect on the fact that each person will give an account for one’s individual life.

Paul then goes on to explain that everyone will give an individual account for whether or not they lived a life centered around truth, joy, and peace; a life rooted in love.

A life which seeks to express truth, in love, and strives not to place a stumbling block in the way of others.

A life of peace and mutual edification.

Paul makes a subtle shift in focus, which has profound implications.

According to Romans 14:10-19, it is not that we are to stay away from certain things simply because they wrong (after all we are free from the law), but that we are to refrain from anything that causes another to stumble in their walk with God.

The results are the same, we ARE supposed to refrain from sin. However, the motivation is drastically different.

Our reason for staying away from sin is because we are to do NOTHING which does not express love and peace, NOTHING which does not edify each other, and NOTHING which does not point back to God.

It is a focus which changes EVERYTHING!

We do not obey because we are afraid of the law. We are to obey because of our love for God, our joy in living how He wants us to, our desire to please our Heavenly Father, and our hope that others will see Him in ALL we do.

We obey because we understand that WE are the body of Christ, and we are to act as His physical representation on earth.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…”

We strive for righteousness because it pleases God.

We strive to live righteously because we desire joy and peace, and because we want to point others back to their Creator.

May we have a focus which is centered around love.

May we live righteously, so as to please God and point others to Him.

May we celebrate the joy we have in the Spirit.

May we “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”