Romans 14: 4Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Several chapters in the book of Romans are about practical living. It’s not a mystical thing. We can’t be as we were before we’re saved; we can’t hide it. It produces a difference in life and gives us a life that is livable. Chapter 6 talks about being raised from death unto life, raised in newness of life. We can live for the Master.
In that day many had no choice because they were slaves. However, some were hired on as servants. They were told not to judge another master or servant. They were to do what was right by the Lord. Onesimus was one such servant who broke his contract and ran from his master Philemon. Both were Christians. Paul brought them back together. He taught that we stand or fall to our own master.
We’re hired by those we work for to do a job to the best of our ability. We get paid for a particular service. We have duties to do for the Lord; there is work to do. Daily living a Christian life is important. It’s what God wants. What affects us affects our Master too. Imagine how Jesus felt when Judas betrayed him with a kiss. Everything we do OR don’t do, we do to Jesus. As our Master, he directs us. Whatever he says for us to do is doable. If he tells us to do something a certain way, we can do it that way by his power. Our life belongs to the Lord. He’s the Master. We’re the servants—able servants. There is no reason to come short. When we do, it’s not God’s fault or the fault of another. It’s our fault. We are without excuse because what he has for us is achievable.
We stand or fall. We do or don’t. He wants to use us. He could carry out all things himself. He spoke the world into creation. He doesn’t need us, but he wants us to know the joy of working for our Master. It’s wonderful to accomplish things for the Lord. We have the ability to witness. We have the ability to say no to the devil. Before we were saved, we did what the devil said. We have an intercessor in the Lord now, and by his strength we can say no to the devil. There is no reason to slide backward or turn around.
I want to be a servant who stands. He stood for us. He took our place and stands in intercession for us with the Father. He helps us. He has never abandoned us. He doesn’t drop us in the middle of everything and tell us to survive the best we can. He’s the Master that stands for us. The least we can do is stand for him. The end of verse 4 says he is able to make him stand. He doesn’t make it hard on us. He lends a hand and holds us up when we can’t stand the onslaught of the world and the devil. How can we lose with a Master like that! There is no excuse for failing. “Failure is not an option” is a famous quote. We have a Master that enables us to make failure not an option in our life. The Lord will show us the way.
Don’t put confidence in your own abilities. The Master does not expect you to succeed through your skills. Be fully persuaded concerning the Lord and his ability. We have a Master who is the victory. He promised that if we trust him and put our confidence in him he’ll come through with a job well done.
We have duties to perform. We have battles to fight and win. We have success to gain. There is every reason we can stand to our Master, so let’s do it. Let’s stand for HIM.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 