Unity in Christ: Accountability and Love Over Judgment

 

Summary

In Romans 14:10-12, we are reminded of the profound truth that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This passage challenges us to reflect on our attitudes towards one another, especially in matters of personal conviction and conscience. Paul addresses the issue of judging others within the Christian community, particularly concerning non-essential matters such as dietary practices and the observance of special days. He emphasizes that each believer is accountable to God, not to one another, and that we should not judge or despise our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Apostle Paul elevates the discussion by reminding us that none of us lives or dies to ourselves; we belong to the Lord in life and in death. This truth underscores the lordship of Christ over all aspects of our lives. As believers, we are united as brothers and sisters, purchased by Christ's death and resurrection. This familial bond should guide our interactions, fostering love and understanding rather than division and judgment.

Paul further highlights that Christ, having been given authority by God, will judge the world. This judgment is not about salvation, as believers have already passed from death to life through faith in Christ. Instead, it concerns the rewards for our deeds done in the body. This understanding should inspire us to live faithfully, knowing that our actions will be evaluated by Christ.

In light of these truths, we are called to focus on our own spiritual journey and accountability before God, rather than critiquing others. Our primary concern should be to help and support one another in love, recognizing that we are all on the same path towards spiritual maturity and ultimate accountability before our Lord.

Key Takeaways:

- Unity in Diversity: As Christians, we are called to embrace our differences in non-essential matters, recognizing that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Our unity is rooted in our shared faith and the lordship of Christ, which transcends individual opinions and practices. [10:19]

- Christ's Lordship: Our lives, both in living and dying, are under the lordship of Christ. This truth should guide our actions and attitudes, reminding us that we are accountable to Him in all things. [03:50]

- Judgment and Accountability: We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, where our deeds will be evaluated. This judgment is not about salvation but about rewards, encouraging us to live faithfully and purposefully. [32:07]

- Love Over Judgment: Instead of judging or despising others, we should focus on loving and supporting one another. Our interactions should reflect the love of Christ, aiming to build each other up in faith. [13:55]

- Personal Responsibility: Each believer is responsible for their own spiritual journey and will give an account to God. This awareness should inspire humility and a focus on personal growth rather than critiquing others. [42:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 14:10-12
- [01:57] - The Argument of Unity
- [03:35] - Living and Dying for the Lord
- [04:46] - Brotherhood in Christ
- [06:08] - The Relationship with Christ
- [08:21] - Attitude Towards Differences
- [10:19] - Unity in Non-Essentials
- [12:14] - The Role of Judgment
- [16:07] - Christ as Judge
- [18:07] - Delegation of Judgment to Christ
- [24:14] - Christ's Deity and Authority
- [28:52] - The Nature of Christ's Judgment
- [32:07] - Judgment of Believers
- [42:33] - Personal Accountability to God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 14:10-12
- Philippians 2:9-11
- 2 Corinthians 5:10

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific issues does Paul address in Romans 14:10-12 regarding the behavior of believers towards one another? [00:12]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between living and dying for the Lord as mentioned in Romans 14? [03:35]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the term "brother" in the context of the Christian community? [05:18]

4. What does the sermon say about the role of Christ as a judge, and how is this role supported by scripture? [16:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "unity in diversity" challenge the way believers handle disagreements on non-essential matters? [10:19]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding Christ's lordship should influence a believer's daily life and decisions? [03:50]

3. How does the sermon explain the difference between the judgment of salvation and the judgment of rewards? What implications does this have for believers? [32:07]

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of personal responsibility in one's spiritual journey, and how does this relate to the idea of accountability before God? [42:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent disagreement you had with a fellow believer. How can the principle of "unity in diversity" help you approach similar situations in the future? [10:19]

2. Consider your daily actions and decisions. How can you more consciously live under the lordship of Christ, both in life and in death? [03:50]

3. Think about a time when you judged or despised another believer. How can you shift your focus from judgment to love and support in your interactions with others? [13:55]

4. Identify an area in your life where you feel you need to be more accountable to God. What steps can you take to improve your personal responsibility in this area? [42:33]

5. How can you encourage and support a fellow believer who holds a different opinion on a non-essential matter, fostering a spirit of brotherhood rather than division? [10:19]

6. Reflect on your understanding of the judgment of rewards. How does this perspective motivate you to live a life that is pleasing to God? [32:07]

7. What specific actions can you take this week to focus on your own spiritual growth rather than critiquing others? [42:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Unity Amidst Differences
In Romans 14:10-12, Paul emphasizes the importance of unity within the Christian community, especially in non-essential matters like dietary practices and the observance of special days. He reminds believers that each person is accountable to God, not to one another, and that we should not judge or despise our brothers and sisters in Christ. This call to unity is rooted in our shared faith and the lordship of Christ, which transcends individual opinions and practices. By embracing our differences, we can foster a community that reflects the love and understanding of Christ, rather than division and judgment. [10:19]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a fellow believer with whom you have a disagreement on a non-essential matter. How can you reach out to them this week to foster unity and understanding?


Day 2: Living Under Christ's Lordship
Paul reminds us that none of us lives or dies to ourselves; we belong to the Lord in life and in death. This truth underscores the lordship of Christ over all aspects of our lives. As believers, we are united as brothers and sisters, purchased by Christ's death and resurrection. This understanding should guide our actions and attitudes, reminding us that we are accountable to Him in all things. By acknowledging Christ's lordship, we can live with purpose and direction, knowing that our lives are in His hands. [03:50]

"And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to acknowledge Christ's lordship? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?


Day 3: Accountability Before Christ
Paul highlights that Christ, having been given authority by God, will judge the world. This judgment is not about salvation, as believers have already passed from death to life through faith in Christ. Instead, it concerns the rewards for our deeds done in the body. This understanding should inspire us to live faithfully, knowing that our actions will be evaluated by Christ. By focusing on our own spiritual journey and accountability before God, we can live with integrity and purpose, seeking to honor Him in all that we do. [32:07]

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your daily actions and decisions. Are there areas where you need to align more closely with Christ's teachings, knowing that you will give an account to Him?


Day 4: Choosing Love Over Judgment
Instead of judging or despising others, Paul calls us to focus on loving and supporting one another. Our interactions should reflect the love of Christ, aiming to build each other up in faith. By choosing love over judgment, we can create a community that encourages growth and spiritual maturity, recognizing that we are all on the same path towards ultimate accountability before our Lord. This approach fosters an environment of grace and understanding, where believers can thrive and grow together. [13:55]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone you have judged or criticized recently. How can you show them love and support this week, reflecting the love of Christ in your actions?


Day 5: Personal Responsibility in Faith
Each believer is responsible for their own spiritual journey and will give an account to God. This awareness should inspire humility and a focus on personal growth rather than critiquing others. By taking personal responsibility for our faith, we can pursue spiritual maturity and deepen our relationship with God. This journey requires intentionality and a commitment to seeking God's guidance and wisdom in all aspects of our lives. [42:33]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take this week to examine your spiritual journey and ensure you are growing in your faith and relationship with God?

Quotes

"For none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself for whether we live we live unto the Lord or whether we die we die unto the Lord whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords for to this end Christ both died and Rose and reviled that he might be Lord both of the dead and living." [00:01:21]

"Now here in these verses the Apostle carries his great argument a step further most important to watch him and to realize what he's doing and what he's saying and how he does advance the argument from step to step and Stage to Stage having told us that we must all be persuaded in our own minds with regard to these matters." [00:02:00]

"Now the statement of this is put at its best perhaps by the author of the epistle to the Hebrews in the second chapter that we were cleansing at in another connection A Week Tonight here for instance in beginning at the 10th verse you have this Doctrine stated for it became him this is God for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons into glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." [00:05:57]

"Nothing is more important than that we should all realize that we are Brethren together now we may differ we may differ in our opinion in our judgment on these matters as he has said one man esteemeth one day above another another esteemeth every day alike there's a difference of opinion there is a difference in our judgment on these matters." [00:08:38]

"The people who disagree with us are not to be regarded as enemies they're not to be regarded as as members of rival factions or of rival parties the church shouldn't divide on matters which are nonessential that's the principle that is really saying we are Brethren a family doesn't divide over matters of opinion with regard to things which are indifferent they may disagree but the family isn't divided." [00:10:01]

"Brothers don't judge one another they've got someone above them they've all got they've got the same father and he's the one who judges he's the lawgiver he's the one who lays down the law for the family it is a misunderstanding of the relationship of brothers that one should be judging the other that's the father's prerogative." [00:12:22]

"Now here again you see he's doing it once more he's taking the concrete situation as it existed in the church at Rome and he's showing them how everything that is done by the Christians is always related to the fundamental principles governing the life of the church and here is another of these all important principles he's already established that we can't live to ourselves that Christ is our Lord." [00:15:40]

"Now you you see this is something to him which is inevitable and he's always doing this one of the results of our Lord's work in his life death and Resurrection is that he has become the Jud you will find probably in some of your translations that it reads like this for we shall all stand before the Judgment seat of God." [00:16:27]

"Now what is this JL people often have got confused about this well what we must be very clear about is this that it is not a judgment in terms of Salvation it isn't a judgment in terms of deciding whether we are going to be saved or not eternally because as Christians we've already passed through that go back again to John 5 which is such an important chapter in this connection." [00:31:59]

"Now this is surely a Doctrine which we tend to neglect isn't it we're interested in Salvation interested in forgiveness of sins interested in knowing we're not going to hell and we seem to think that we finished once and forever with all kinds of judgment but we haven't though we are saved we shall still have to appear before the Judgment Throne of Christ and give an account of the Deeds Done in the body whether good or bad." [00:40:23]

"Now there is our Lord's own clear specific statement the apostles re-echoed it as we saw in the first verse of the eth chapter of this great epistle there is therefore now no condemnation no judgment to them that are in Christ Jesus we passed through that and can never pass through that judgment again so that it is quite clear that when the Apostle talks here about our standing before the judgment seat of God or of Christ he's not referring to that." [00:33:30]

"Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the councils of the hearts and then shall every man have Praise of God well there it is so the final word with regard to this tendency to judge our brother or to despise is this knowing the terror of the Lord I do my work as under his eye knowing that I shall have to render up an account unto him that it cannot be mistaken." [00:45:04]

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Transcript
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