"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." - Romans 14:11 (ESV)
This verse, a quote from Isaiah 45:23, is also alluded to in Phillipians 2:10-11. Is this a memory verse in Paul's packet? Maybe so.
What is more important is what the verse says. In the setting of how we deal with people who differ on eating, drinking, and the observation of special days, there is this sober reminder: everyone will be humbled before the Lord. And, if we didn't catch it from verse 11, we have the next verse to clear up any confusion - "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."
The account we give to God certainly includes how we and others decide on matters such as certain foods, but more importantly, we will need to show how we responded to others. Usually I think, "Well, you do your thing and I'll do mine - each of us has to account to God." This would be true but incomplete. I also must account for my judgmental attitude towards my sibling in Christ. And, in view of verse 13, this is exactly what Paul has in mind.
"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer"
How I interact with others should have, at it's foundation, a clear view of God and His sovereignty. The cross has leveled me and my fellow sibling in Christ. How can I despise someone who is in the exact same lot I am - a sinner made saint by the grace of God?
