Page 16 - Florida Sentinel 8-3-18

God’s Justice (Romans 2:1-12, KJV)
ilar sin, but one deemed more “socially acceptable.”
For example, one might cruise the Internet for porno- graphic material, watch X- rated movies in the privacy of their own home, or read books or watch sitcoms with sexually explicit stories cen- tered around adultery. The point here is that sin is sin, and the Bible tells us that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully “has com- mitted adultery with her in his heart already” (Matthew 5:28).
Sin begins in our minds and hearts. It is important to bathe our minds on a daily basis with the Word of God. What we see, think, and meditate on will eventually become visible through our actions. God’s Word must transform us, cleansing our hearts and minds of all impu- rities.
Have you seen exam-
p l e s of people judging pri- vate sin as less offensive than public sin?
God’s Judgment Is Impartial (vv. 5–12)
When we purposely con- tinue to sin against God, we are storing up wrath against ourselves (v. 5). A believer can store up wrath by pos- sessing an unrepentant and hardened heart. A hardened heart can be filled with un- forgiveness, envy, jealousy, anger, bitterness, and other sinful attitudes. These hin- drances make it difficult for God’s Word to grow and ma- ture in our hearts. As we pray and meditate on God’s Word, our hearts can be restored. When we ask God to forgive us, His redemptive Word heals our brokenness and re- stores our hearts to a purified condition.
God’s will is that we serve Him with a clean heart, which allows us to rest in
knowing we have security in Him, and allows us to see and treat others the way He intended us to. God will give to each person what they de- serve based on how they live, including their attitudes (v. 6). He will grant immortal- ity, blessings, and eternal life to every believer who contin- ues to serve the Lord and do His will (vv. 7, 10). We all stand guilty before God.
Paul’s letter gives us a clear indication of the impor- tance of godly obedience. Tribulation, anger, and wrath are the future reality for those who insist on living selfish, disobedient lives (vv. 8–9).
God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile; all are subject to His penetrating eye. Every human being will be judged accordingly. God is fair and accurate in His as- sessment of human behavior (vv. 11–12).
Romans 2:1 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 ac- cording 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 shal escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuf- fering; not knowing that the goodness of God lead- eth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart trea- surest 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, indigna- tion and wrath,
9 Tribulation and an- guish, 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.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.
God’s Judgment Is Just (Romans 2:1–4)
Paul explains why believ- ers are guilty and sternly cau- tions the believer. He warns us to be careful how we judge others, especially when we become angry at someone else’s sin, because the sin that we recognize in the lives of others may be the same sin at work in our own lives.
For example, people who gossip have a tendency to be- come extremely irritated when others talk behind their backs, and individuals who are self-promoting tend to be very critical of others who seek the spotlight.
God’s Word reveals to us the necessity of examining our own behavior, not against the conduct of others, but against the Word of God — adjusting our lifestyles so that they line up with His perfect will.
Paul is not suggesting that everyone who judges the sinner is actively involved in the same sin. What Paul is saying is that those who point an accusatory finger — for instance, at the adulterer — might be involved in a sim-
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