Romans 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? or why do you set at nothing your brother?… This is often spoken of as the most terrible event in human history. And so it will be, and the happiest too. "We must all stand," etc.; then — I. LIFE IS NOT A SET OF BROKEN ACCIDENTS AND CONFUSED OCCURRENCES. It seems to be so — act seems separated from act, and thought from thought, and thought from act, and we often know not what to make of life. But then life will appear in its completeness and its meaning be clear. This — 1. Should cause us to look more into the bearings of our life. We ought not to live at haphazard, but thoughtfully. 2. Should elevate life, and redeem it both from hopelessness and vulgarity. II. WE SHALL BE INDEPENDENT OF THE MISJUDGMENTS OF MEN. There is a sense in which a concern for what our neighbours think of us may be just and proper. Nothing is more valuable than the words of the good and wise. But we ought not to be distressed in mind and hindered in our work by the unjust judgments of the world. In the long run we may get even better judgments from the world if we seek to live in the spirit of the judgment of Christ. But let those who fight against God's people remember that they grasp a blade without a handle. Comfort yourselves, then, that Christ is Judge, and will vindicate righteousness. III. WE OUGHT TO MAKE PREPARATION FOR SO SOLEMN AN EVENT. If you are invited to meet some grand personage on some special occasion and make no preparation, you will be given to feel your want of preparedness by the contempt of those who are about you. Should we, then, as men of common sense, make no preparation for the supreme event in our history. Do not prepare in a spirit of fear, but as a matter of right, and as an expression of love? We are not to get up ourselves in fine rags and gilt, but meet our Judge in the robe of character which He has fashioned and adorned. IV. WE NEED HAVE NO UNCERTAINTY AS TO THE DECISION. We know the Judge and His method. We can therefore judge ourselves now. Everything righteous and noble will be approved; everything base and bad will be condemned. Right is right eternally; wrong is wrong for ever. Have we repented, etc.? V. TRIFLING EXCUSES WILL NOT FOR ONE MOMENT BE TOLERATED. (J. Parker, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. |
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