Every Knee…Every Tongue

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Scripture: Romans 14:9-12 (ESV)

9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,

        “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Devotion:

In the quiet moments of reflection, we grapple with our own judgments and biases. We weigh our opinions against the backdrop of eternity. And there, in the vast expanse of God’s sovereignty, we encounter a truth that humbles us: Every knee, including ours, shall bow, and every tongue, including ours, shall acknowledge God.

Paul reminds us of the profound reason behind Christ’s death and resurrection: He is the Lord of both the living and the dead. His sacrifice, a beacon of hope, bridges the gap between heaven and earth, between our brokenness and God’s holiness. When we grasp the weight of this truth, it reshapes our perspective. We no longer judge others based on trivial matters; instead, we recognize that Christ’s lordship extends over all.

Why, then, do we judge our brothers and sisters? Why do we treat them with contempt? Paul’s words pierce our hearts. Our judgments—whether over matters of conscience, lifestyle, or preference—reveal our limited understanding.

Authentic faith leads us away from contempt and toward humility. We recognize that we, too, stand before God’s judgment seat. Our opinions fade in the light of His wisdom. Paul quotes Isaiah: “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.” This isn’t a conditional statement; it’s an absolute truth.

Picture it: kings and beggars, skeptics and saints—all bowing before the King of kings. In that moment, our titles, achievements, and opinions dissolve. Only one thing matters: acknowledging God.

As we journey through life, let us remember that we, too, will give an account. Our judgments, our attitudes, our hidden thoughts—all laid bare. But grace awaits. The same Lord who judges also offers mercy. May our hearts bow willingly, our tongues confess wholeheartedly, and our lives reflect the love of the One who holds eternity in His hands. Let us not forget the inevitability of this judgment, and let it guide our actions and thoughts.

Prayer:

            Lord, we would always bow and worship you, but we are fallen creatures and often forget that you saved us by your grace. Help us keep these words of scripture in mind as we go through our lives. Let us bow our knees and confess you are God right now! Let us always be aware that you are God and we are not. May we worship you every day. Keep us humble and willing to serve one another at all times. Amen

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