Reach out in love

Romans 14:10-12 (NIV)
10 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. 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

The apostle is questioning why people are compelled to judge one another and treat each other with contempt. He then goes on to reason that we all will stand before God at the judgment seat and each of us will be humbled at that time. So instead of looking at the actions of others we should take into account our own actions.

 

 

Philip Yancey put it this way in an article in Christianity Today. He writes, "As I read accounts of the New Testament church, no characteristic stands out more sharply than [diversity]. Beginning with Pentecost, the Christian church dismantled the barriers of gender, race, and social class that had marked Jewish congregations. Paul, who as a rabbi had given thanks daily that he was not born a woman, slave, or Gentile, marveled over the radical change: ’There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’

As Christians we are one body working together for the purpose of Christ. As one body we should not be critical of one another, but instead strive to work together for the betterment of each other. We need to take the time to encourage one another and to pray for one another. One day we all will face God and give an account of our actions. Let’s ensure our actions towards others are something God would be pleased with. Let us reach out to others in love.