Hi and welcome back.
Last week we started chapter 2 of Romans and we studied verse 1. We talked about why we judge others. Today we’re going to look at the consequences of that judgment. Let’s just review verse one before we get started.
Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
We have no excuse. We have no wiggle room.
When we pass judgment and condemn someone with the same laundry list of sins that we’ve committed, there’s going to be a price to pay.
Romans 2:2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who do such things.
This verse is from the ESV version, which I normally use. But I think the NIV version gives more clarity.
Romans 2:2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
What is the truth?
The truth is reality, not circumstantial evidence or the truth according to worldly standards. The truth is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God. God’s standard of judgment is defined by His Holy character.
Romans 2:3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
God’s judgment is inescapable for those who condemn others for the very sins they commit themselves.
Their ability to judge others does not absolve them from guilt. It actually increases their own condemnation.
Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Do you actually believe that the kindness which He has extended to us means that he is accepting of our behavior?
The fact that He refrains from unleashing his wrath upon us and that He waits patiently is evidence of His desire for us to repent of the things that we’re doing. To repent means to turn around to turn away from the path that we’re on. He’s giving us an opportunity that we don’t even deserve.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
So many people try to rationalize God.
They say that God is kind and loving and He’s going to understand that the good works that I’ve done outweigh the things I’ve done in my past. Some go as far as to say that there is no hell. How could a loving God send me to hell. A better question is how could He not. In essence many people have created a god that conforms to their lifestyle. They have created a false idol.
Romans 2:5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Someone with an impenitent heart is one that feels no regret for their actions.
They have a calloused heart. As a result there will be an accounting for their ungodly behavior. God is slow to anger, yet there will be a day of reckoning when God’s righteous judgment shall be laid upon them without prejudice or injustice of any kind.
Just knowing that, should put the fear of God in your heart. So many people see fearing God as something negative.
If you’re standing on top of a cliff and your feet are hanging over the edge, fear is going to cause you to step back.
Fear is not always a bad thing. Fear is your friend. So a healthy fear of the Lord is going to cause you to step back from the things that bring wrath upon you.
Romans 2:6 He will render to each one according to his works:
Let’s be clear, no one has eternal life through works alone.
This verse is directed at the ungodly. Those who seek to earn their way into heaven. Good works do not begin until a person has been born again.
John 6:28 Then they said to him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God? 29 Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.
Continuing on with verse 7 we read
Romans 2:7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
Now Paul is directing this verse towards those that are saved. Those who are not trying to get in by works alone. They are patiently doing what is pleasing in God’s eyes. They seek for Glory, not their own, but to bring Glory and Honor to God. They keep their eyes not on the things of this world, but things of eternal value. In doing so, they will have their place in the Kingdom.
Now let’s get back to the ungodly.
Romans 2:8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
I looked up the definition of self-seeking. Here’s what it says, Taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others.
If you are self-seeking you are going to do whatever pleases you and could care less how it affects others. You seek the pleasures of this world to fulfill the lusts of your flesh.
These self-seeking individuals have no desire to seek the truth. They have never answered the gospel call. They obey the master of unrighteousness. Their allegiance to the things of this world will bring forth God’s wrath and fury.
Romans 2:9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
God’s judgment will be delivered first to the Jews and then to the Greeks.
Greeks referring to the gentiles or non-jews. Paul used this same phrase when referring to salvation and the order in which it would be received.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
And finally we’ll look at,
Romans 2:10-11 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.
No matter what our fate, whether it be glory and honor or tribulation and distress, it will be delivered without partiality. God doesn’t play favorites.
Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
We can’t buy our way into heaven.
It is only through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior that we can find eternal life.
Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. You will be saved.
Thank you for listening and I pray that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you haven’t, please don’t put off the most important decision of your life. Your eternity depends on it.