You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

“To give an account” — what does this mean? I think of a general meeting with his country's leader to give an account during wartimes. He has to defend his actions and state the status of his responsibilities at war. His conduct must also be reviewed. Or maybe another comparison is an investment banker who is summoned by his largest client to give an account of how he has managed his money. He must justify his actions and decisions.

In the same way we will all give an account of who we were in life to God. This is not a scale, measuring our good and bad deeds, as some like to think. God will go much deeper than that — he will lay bare the attitudes and intentions of our hearts. Everyone will see if we secretly hated another, deceived someone, stole from another. In general, God will judge our hearts. And if we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and truly followed him, not just tried to be a part of a “churchy club”, but sought to model our lives after his — then God will be pleased. If not, he will bring horrible judgment to bare for our sinful life. The main message here is to stop focusing on the minor things in life and focus on what is pleasing to God: righteousness, joy, and peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John‬ ‭14:27‬).

The world thinks peace comes from financial security, power, and freedom to sin and define what is right and wrong for oneself. But true peace comes from following Jesus and seeking after a right relationship with the God of the universe. It is a peace in our hearts, whereby, no earthly storm can remove it.

So let us today choose to focus on our walk with God. Then we will be a blessing instead of comparing and putting others down.

Lord, thank you for continuing to teach me to rest in your peace, be joyful, and pursue righteousness. I give you all that I have … use it for your glory.