Romans 14 - thoughts

I was reading a blog written by Matt Dabbs and he referenced Romans 14, so I thought, "Well, what DOES Roman 14 say?" Went to BibleGateway and typed it in and started reading; then I came to this passage and STOPPED: "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." (Romans 14:10-12). Huh. No judging, no treating with contempt; I must give an account of myself before God; EVERYONE will bow before God and proclaim their acknowledgment of Him in the final judgment day. How often do I judge? Everyday. Sometimes explicitly, sometimes implicitly - you know: someone cuts you off on the road and you think, "WHO do you think you are?" You see someone wearing something REALLY tight and you think, "Did you look in the mirror this morning?" Judging. I am so guilty. God forgive me. And how often have I read a "rant" on FaceBook and thought, "Yeah! Right on!" and clicked LIKE and/or even added my two cents worth. Judging. Did this edify or uplift anyone? Probably not; it may have even brought someone down, brought darkness to their life. Because as Paul says later in verse 19, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

May God work on my heart today, and every day, to bring love and uplift those I come in contact with.  "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." (Romans 14:17-18)