Romans 14
Devotional
Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
– Romans 14:4
Legalism. I think every well-meaning Christian, at some point (typically early) in their Christian experience slides into a pattern of legalism. Often the slide is the result of genuine zeal for God. They, upon realizing the grace and forgiveness of God, want to serve God passionately and purely. Therefore they establish standards of life and practice they believe to be righteous.
Such standards are not necessarily wrong. Some are rooted in Scripture, some are rooted in denominational tradition or personal conviction. Whatever the case, such standards may very well be good and wholesome for the one establishing or practicing them.
These standards are not, in and of themselves, legalistic. That is, until they are broadly applied and used as tool by which the one establishing them judges others. Romans 14 is a good reminder. My accountability is (primarily) to God.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
