August 27: Remembering Who is Lord
Scripture
For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
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.
Romans 14:7–10 (NIV)
This is Paul’s way of reminding us that we are not the center of the universe. Our lives are not about simply pleasing ourselves or chasing our own desires. We belong to the Lord, and everything about us—our living and our dying—is meant to glorify Him. Jesus did not die to do our bidding. He died to save us and to claim us as His own.
Every so often, we should pause and examine our lives to see if there are areas not yet surrendered to Christ’s lordship. If the Lord reveals something to us the right response is not to excuse it but to repent, submit, and surrender. Our lives are meant to be lived in joyful obedience to Jesus, who is Lord of both the living and the dead.
Paul also warns us against judging or looking down on our brothers and sisters. None of us sits on the throne of judgment. That place belongs to Christ alone. And one day, each of us will stand before Him. Knowing this should fill us with humility and keep us from prideful contempt.
Instead of sitting in judgment, we are called to love. Our Judge is the very One who gave His life so that we could receive the ultimate pardon. That truth should transform how we see others. Rather than condemning, we extend grace. Rather than criticizing, we build up. We should live with the awareness that every person we meet is someone Jesus considered worth dying for.
Reflection
1. Where are you most tempted to live for yourself rather than for the Lord?
2. What part of your life might the Spirit be inviting you to freshly surrender under Christ’s lordship?
3. How can remembering God’s mercy toward you shape the way you treat others today?
Prayer
Ask the Lord to reveal any areas of your life that are not fully surrendered to Him. Thank Him that you belong to Him in both life and death. Pray for a heart of humility that resists judgment and overflows with love toward others.