“For it is written: As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God”
(Romans 14:11-12 NKJV)

we will be held accountable

The “for” that begins verse 11 invites us to examine the previous context. Some were judging their brothers in Christ; others were showing contempt. The context concerns incidentals. Some had been raised to keep certain days; others had not. Some had been raised to avoid certain foods; others had not.

Paul set the tone for solving such differences: “For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14:2-3). Matters of indifference should remain matters of indifference.

Opinions and personal judgments tend to become a source of trouble in a church. Some set themselves up as judge and jury, forgetting that God alone is Judge. Careless disregard for another’s conscience can bring God’s judgment. “Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.” In this context, Paul warns that our Sovereign Judge is watching and listening, ready to hold us accountable. It is one thing to fight the good fight of faith (Jude 3); it is quite another to engage our brothers in a food fight.

– Rick Duggin