The Final Judgment
S. Martin. Romans 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? or why do you set at nothing your brother?… 1. Christ Himself spake of judgment, but never after this fashion. He never spoke of Himself as put upon His trial, but always as the Judge. Here, however, Paul speaks of himself as appearing at the judgment. What is the fair inference? Clearly, that high as Paul was, Jesus Christ is far higher. God cannot be judged, but every intelligent, accountable creature will be judged. Jesus Christ was not a creature, but God manifested in humanity. 2. Religious truths frequently conceal each other. This truth of the judgment day hides from some eyes the fact of the judgment which is going on every day. You are all now upon your trial. And there are certain results of this trial that are akin to sentence. Does not the drunkard and the sensualist of every shape suffer a present punishment? Are not integrity and truthfulness generally recognised with favour? 3. By the mention of this fact, the Apostle Paul teaches the members of the Church in Rome to be liberal in the estimate they form of each other. There is, however, a false liberality. There are some that would apply these remarks to the facts and doctrines of the gospel, and to moral principles. Now hear what the same man wrote: "Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach to you any other gospel than that ye have received, let him be accursed." I. THE CERTAINTY OF JUDGMENT. The emphasis of the text is in the words "We shall." Judgment is no probability. But what is judgment ? There is trial — the idea of really testing the character, of summing up and judging the totality of a man's life. Then there is the disclosure, the bringing out of everything. Then there is decision upon the case, and sentence. Let us consider some facts which make this appear certain. 1. There is a looking for of judgment in every man. When Adam and his wife had eaten of the fruit they hid themselves. What was this but an expression of expectancy that God would come and judge them! Is this peculiar? No. What do the fears and the remorse of the man who has done wrong say but that he expects judgment! 2. This Divine and real judgment seems needful. "Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper?" Look at the mistakes that occur concerning men. A man is in reputation for religion and may have a heart as black as hell. Now, is this to be perpetual? No; there is a sort of necessity in God's nature to put everything right and to give to every man his real character. 3. It is indicated by present punishment and reward on a limited scale. During the storm you have often heard the thunder at the distance before the tempest has broken over your dwelling, and just so may you hear the trumpet of the future judgment in what you now experience when you have done wrong. 4. By the voice of Old Testament and New God speaks to you of this judgment. II. OUR PERSONAL APPEARANCE IS CERTAIN. There will be no escape from a final Divine trial. You may leave a pious home to get far from what you call cant, but you will not escape from this judgment. There will be no evasion, excuse, proxy. III. CHRIST WILL BE THE JUDGE, and mark what this involves. The Judge will be — 1. Visible. Christ has taken His human nature to heaven. 2. Competent, and the multitude, without exception, will feel that competency. Just as you often have been conscious of the presence of greatness when you have been with some man whose intelligence very far exceeded your own, so will it be felt before the judgment seat of Christ. (S. Martin.) 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. WEB: But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.