When we live with a renewed mind, we do not think of ourselves more highly than we ought (Romans 12:3). We remember that we do not live or die to ourselves, but to the Lord (Romans 14:7–8). We remember that we are not solitary Christians, but members of the body of Christ and of one another (Romans 12:5). Paul now reminds us that each of us will stand before God.
Paul continues to address how the transformed life regards other transformed lives. Notice that he does not say we should never correct one another. Rather, he warns us against passing judgment on our brothers and sisters.
What is Paul getting at here?
Simply put, we should not put ourselves in the place of God. We may disagree on the particulars of how we live out our salvation, but we do not disagree about the salvation that unites us. There are truths that are fundamental to the Christian faith, and there are matters in which Christians have liberty.
When someone professes Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we may examine their fruit (Matthew 7:15–20). We may help correct them, even to the point of removing someone from the congregation when Scripture requires it (1 Corinthians 5:1–12). But we are ultimately not the arbiters of who is and who is not saved.
Paul grounds his argument in the fact that we will all stand before God in judgment. God will separate the sheep from the goats.
Jesus provides a helpful illustration in the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:24–30). In the parable, an enemy plants weeds among the wheat, and the servants ask whether they should gather them. But the owner of the field gives a remarkably caring reason for refusing: “No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them” (Matthew 13:29).
The owner is concerned for his wheat. He will not have it destroyed by servants who cannot perfectly distinguish it from the weeds. We must likewise be careful not to mistake a growing, immature Christian for someone who does not belong to Christ. We are not the final judges of those whom God has received.
When we look at another Christian, our impulse should not be to find a reason to reject them. We welcome those whom God has welcomed (Romans 14:3). Yes, we correct one another, because we are still commanded to obey God. But when we disagree over eating or abstaining, observing a day or not observing it, we must be careful not to reject a brother or sister over matters in which God has granted liberty.
They, like us, will stand before a mighty God. They will give an account of themselves before Him.
So will we.
-steve