Father God, thank you for this time that we can spend reading and studying Romans chapter 2 about how God is the perfect judge, and mankind is accountable. Help us to keep an open mind and heart as we read, study and learn. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.
Romans 2:
In Romans chapter 2 verses 1-11 we learn that God is the perfect judge. If you are continually good, and you NEVER sin (in thought, word or deed) then you will get eternal life! However, since all that mankind does is sin, they will be judged and punished properly for their sin.
Romans 2: 1-11 says,
"1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Man deceives himself into believing that he is good and doesn't deserve punishment for their sins. They might compare themselves to people like Hitler and say that they are not so bad, so therefore God isn't going to judge them. But these verses tell us that unless you are CONTINUOUSLY good and have NEVER sinned, then you are subject to God's wrath.
Going back to verses 2-3
"2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
God knows all of our hearts. In fact, he knows our every thought, word and deed we have ever had, said or done! I can't even remember everything that I've ever thought, said or done. This is where "sin confession" doesn't make any sense. If ALL that an unbeliever can do is sin (Ro 14:23, "for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."), and if confessing all of your sins were required in order to be saved (its not; we are simply to believe the gospel to be saved Ro 1:16), how on earth could you ever confess every single thing you've ever thought, said or done?! People who claim to have confessed ALL of their sins to God are just fooling themselves! This is pure legalism.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Man thinks that through his so-called "good deeds" and judgment of others that he can escape God's judgment but again, he's fooling himself!
Verse 4:
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
In verse 4 it tells us that because of God's goodness and patience (forbearance) with us, and his desire for all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4 KJB "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."), he doesn't just judge us right away when we sin. In fact, people (unbelievers) will not be judged finally until the great white throne judgment. If God wanted to, he could immediately judge and punish every sin but then no one would be alive or even last one day! We ought to be thankful for God's longsuffering and patience as well as for sending Jesus to be our Saviour!
Thank you Father God for showing us the truth in your word rightly divided. Thank you also that through simple faith in Christ's death, burial and resurrection as atonement for our sins, we are saved and given eternal life! In Jesus's name, amen.
Homework:
Read over Romans 2 and see if you notice "sections" in this chapter. Sections are basically ideas or concepts being built upon another.
What are the themes for each of the following sections in Romans 2?
Verses:
1-11
12-16
17-24
25-29
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