Romans 14:11 (NRSV)
For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
Enjoy a daily dose of God’s Word! Visit Verse of the Day.
Bible Commentary
Romans 14:11 is a Bible verse in the New Testament where Paul is pointing out from scripture the importance of humbling ourselves before the Lord.
I recently saw a quote that went something like this, “I don’t recognize the beauty of God’s mercy until I see the ugliness of my own sin.”
Very humbling and so true.
In the following passage, Paul is drawing our attention to our own shortcomings.
Romans 14:10-13
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? 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 give praise to God.”
12 So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
13 Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.
If we had full knowledge of who we are in Christ, we would feel no need to judge others. I believe our tendency to judge our fellow man is merely a deflection of what we know to be true of ourselves, but without the willingness to accept responsibility for it.
Unlocking the Truth – Accepting Responsibility
We don’t even recognize we’re doing it, but sometimes God allows us to see that what we condemned someone else for doing, we also do ourselves. Romans 2:1 says,
“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”
In my experience, this is the fastest and most effective way to find forgiveness in our hearts for someone else. Are you willing to ask God to show you how you do the same things you’ve been offended by others doing to you?
He will most definitely answer your prayer and also be greatly pleased that you are courageous enough to look at the truth. He longs to show us His mercy, and He longs for us to show mercy to others, just as Christ did on the cross.
When we see the same offense in ourselves that we judged others for, we become hungry for mercy and therefore, more willing to show mercy to someone else.
It is easier to recognize ugly when beautiful is standing right next to it.
The Epitome of Beauty
This is precisely what God is teaching us in Romans 14:11 (NKJV) when He says,
“…Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”
God’s mercy of His Son Jesus Christ is the epitome of beauty. The horrific scene of Jesus’ tortured body hanging on the cross…beautiful. How great is His love for you, and for me!.
It may be difficult to accept responsibility for our own sin, but Jesus Christ is right there to wash us clean in the power of His blood before the Father. He is eagerly waiting to scoop us up in the tender embrace of His mercy.
That’s when we personally recognize the beauty of His mercy, and the cleanness of His righteousness–when we come face-to-face with it.
Study the Bible verse of Romans 14:11 to personally know the power of the saving grace and humility of Jesus Christ. Freely receive it, so you can freely give it.
Daily Devotions & Prayer
