Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, As I live, said the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.… How helpful is it to read that Paul, who stood so far above us all, should confess himself to be "one of us"! It was a singular mark of the apostolic character that each and all emphasised their close relation to the community in which they ministered. In this they followed His steps who said, "I am among you as one that serveth." What a rebuke to all spiritual pride and ecclesiastical assumption! Let him who is chief among you be the servant of all. And yet, whilst the apostle claimed this community, he drew the lines of individuality with no hesitating hand. "Every one of us." We have in the text — I. A SOLEMN SUMMONS, in the midst of all that is opposed to the Divine will. By this summons there are certain facts very plainly implied. 1. If "every one of us" is to give an account unto God, then the dream of the materialist is certainly false. There is a God, and with that God man has to do. The traditions of all people, the consent of the moral sense in man everywhere endorse that which the Scripture so explicitly implies. 2. This accountability before God is an ever-present fact. Do not postpone it until death comes. It is a constant relation in which man stands. To bring the whole nature into accord with the law and character of God — this is the dictate of our sense of true accountability. 3. But beyond this life work there is a final criticism and judgment to come. This is involved in the very relations we hold to this God, and the solemn thought of such an assize is constrained by the anticipation of death itself. II. A DEFINITE LIMITATION. "Himself." 1. We are responsible in our mutual relations for the influence that we exert over one another. "No man liveth to himself," etc. But our responsibility for each other ends there. Our accountability for ourselves is more immediate, and cannot be evaded. We are not our brother's keeper in this world except for his good. Look well to thyself. Leave others to God. Thou hast enough to do with thine own vineyard. 2. But the account is not the less varied because it is so individual. Think of how many component parts you are formed, and for each one a responsibility exists before God. Therefore let other people alone, and look to your own house. III. A SUGGESTED PREPARATION. We may give an account now; we shall do it finally in a more manifest way. 1. Recognise your individuality. Look yourselves in the face. Never allow yourself to be lost in the family, the Church, or in society. You came into the world subject to this solitary responsibility; you will go out of the world in the same way. It is the condition in which the gospel of Jesus Christ comes to you. 2. Train your conscience to utter distinct commands and prohibitions to you as an individual. Take not the worldly maxims of common living in this world; take not the practice of the Church. There is no rule except that which is contained in the character and the life of the God-man. (S. H. Tyng, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. |
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