Romans 2:1-16
By Chen
Statute of Justice
Brutus the elder had to judge his own soms for rebellion
One day, Christ passing judgment against those who rebel against Him
Paul writing to 2 groups:
1. Jews who think they are exempted
2. Gentiles who claim they don’t have the law (and thus not facing judgment)
Jews traditionally think God will wipe out Gentiles & special favour for Jews
Jews focus on ritual & sacraments
God judges on us 6 different elements
1. Knowledge
2. Truth
3. Guilt
4. Deeds
5. Impartiality
6. Motives
1. Knowledge
Therefor: re – prev chapters
Pass judgment: know that God will judge you
““Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
2. Truth
We know: common knowledge, fact & truth
Perfectly judged not based on superficiality
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”
Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV
3. Guilt
We all experience God’s goodness & providence
Tolerance: forbearance, ceasing hostility – Christ holding back His judgment not wanting people to perish
When we sin, we are showing contempt
The wages of sin is death
Every time we sin, God has the right to take our lives away
4. Deeds
Not talking about salvation by works
““I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.””
Jeremiah 17:10 NIV
Works: product of our faith
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Distress: origins – narrow place
5. Impartiality
God does not show favouritism
Each of us having different degree of work
Those who sin without knowing the truth will still perish
Perish: not functioning as intended
Intended: continue to worship God VS hell and suffering
““The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Luke 12:47-48 NIV
Declared righteous: obey the law, Bible
Non-believers judgment
1. Creation: revealed to all His wrath & nature (Rom 1:20)
2. Conduct: do by nature things required by the law (wrong to kill; speak out on injustices, pay our debts, etc)
3. Conscience: inner voice & sense of what is right vs wrong
4. Contemplation: accuse/defend others; capacity to know what is right & wrong
6. Motives
Feel good about ourselves?
Relieve guilt?
God knows our motives (Psalm 139:1-7)
Seat warming on Sunday? No deeds to show? Ungrateful?
“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.”
Romans 2:5 NIV
Acknowledge God as our Lord who searches our hearts & thoughts.
Pray for deeds/conduct that is not right to correct us & worthy of God’s calling. To appreciate & be thankful for you are a good who is always fair & is the giver of our lives.