Scripture Read: Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God
Application: This passage brings home the most sobering fact of life. In the end, no matter what we have believed, no matter the philosophies we have bought into or the theories we have embraced, we will all face the Truth. Is it right to claim this using the Bible? I don’t think that matters…The issue that is raised is valid no matter where it comes from. No matter anyone’s belief in the end we will all have to face the reality of Truth. If Buddha, then we will all have to deal with Nirvana. If Islam, we will be judged by the Koran. The fact is in the end, only one belief is right and all the rest are wrong! Even Paul stated that “if” Christ has not raised we are to be pitied - 1 Corinthians 15:13–19. I am one of those that absolutely are convinced Christ is the Truth and I am filled with both joy and sadness from this passage. Why do I say this? Consider: “Praise” - exomologeō (ἐξομολογεω), “to acknowledge or profess from the heart,” thus, in a context like this, “to make a confession to one’s honor, hence to praise” (Vincent). “Give account” - dōsei logon (δωσει λογον). The phrase was a common way of referring to an account in a ledger which a bookkeeper enters (Robertson).[1]
The context here is really the key to what kind of praise this is. This is not the heart-felt expression of joy – it is the sober reality of having to be totally honest with our God – which is a form of praise. It establishes Him as right and pure in His judgments – again not because He needs it but because that is the Truth no matter how we feel and this it is the way it is. All the games will be over, no more rationalizations, excuses, or lies to ourselves. This should fill us with joy because we will be excited to stand before Him face to face accepted in Christ. Realizing all the hope we have had is now sight. Yet, there is a real sadness in this verse because many who will be making this confession will be doing it when it is too late. There are those that try to teach that it is never too late – even famous individuals. The Word makes it clear they are wrong. Even if they are great speakers and can convince many to follow them – the Word states they are wrong! The Truth is truth – not open for change because it is inconvenient or not popular. We have this vapor called life before we enter eternity. As we are when our spirit leaves our body, that is how we will remain for all of eternity. Nothing to me is more scary, yet nothing more freeing. Just to agree with God that He was right in all of it. I could not live it nor attain it myself. Only because of the blood of His Son am I accepted. Dad, we need not fear this moment, because we are safe in Christ. Help us to live as conscious as we can that this day will come. Lord – whatever time we have left, PLEASE enable us to invest it all. We love you Lord and want to anticipate this time, not to dread it.
* Meditation Questions: Have I already agreed with Who God claims He is in the Word of God? If not - why? What am I doing to find out what I really believe? Is my faith, mine or do I believe what I believe because that’s what someone else told me was true?
[1]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (Ro 14:10). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
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