God's Judgment of the Self-Righteous
Notes
Transcript
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.
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;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Introduction
Introduction
The chapter begins with the word “therefore.” Anytime you find the word “therefore,” find out what it is “there for” or its purpose. “Therefore” refers to the last half of chapter one.
It refers to those individuals described in verses 18–20 of chapter one; the idolaters, the sexually perverted, the homosexual, the ones who have been given over to a reprobate, depraved mind who are incapable of spiritual discernment, the unrighteous, arrogant, boastful, wicked, greedy, evil, envious, murdering, etc. etc. etc. people...
Now, moral people, religious people, legalistic people would say absolutely that’s wrong and God will judge that…They would agree with the assessment that Paul gives about the judgment of God on the unrighteous, immoral world.
The problem is, most of the time, those moral people, religious people, legalistic people feel that they will be exempt.
Paul condemned homosexuals and idolaters, then he turns around to the self-righteous folks and says, “You are just as bad.”
He doesn’t leave anyone out because God does not leave anyone out...
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Let’s look some things this morning concerning “God’s Judgement of the Self-Righteous”...
I-There Will Be No Excuse
I-There Will Be No Excuse
He says, “You are inexcusable.”
This means “without apology or defense.” Man is without excuse concerning his own sin and judgmental spirit. Paul says those who judge do the “same things.” This means “not identical things, but things that are as bad in God’s sight. They are as the awful acts of pagans.”
The message here is, “By the same token that you have the right to judge other people by your standards, God has the right to judge you by His standards.”
We are obnoxious in God’s eyes.
There is none righteous, no, not one.
The self-righteous who condemn the sin of others are also filled with their own iniquity, which demands judgment by the same standard. In fact, those who are judgmental are not only wrong in assessing the moral standard of others, but are also wrong in assessing their own moral standing.
They underestimate the depth of their own sin and underestimate the height of God’s standard of what is righteous.
People take this and say it’s wrong to judge, but we judge all the time, and rightfully do so, as long as you’re judging by God’s standard...
Andrew Murray writes, ‘As we judge another person, we point to a standard outside of our self – and that standard condemns everyone, not only the obvious sinner. “Since you know the justice of God, as evidenced by the fact that you are judging others, you are without an excuse, because in the very act of judging you have condemned yourself.”’
Here’s the point...No matter how moral you are, you must be saved!
The hypocrite feels that other men’s sins are worse than his own. He compares his morals with the wickedness of society and feels pretty good about himself.
The problem in this thinking is the “standard” is wrong. God’s standard is different than man’s. All men come short of God’s standard.
The moral man says, “I don’t commit adultery!” Do you lust after women? If so, you do commit adultery.
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
The moral man says, “I don’t worship idols!” Do you covet? If so, you are an idolater.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
The moral man says, “I don’t kill people!” Do you hate people? If so, you are a murderer.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
You will remember the account of David and Bathsheba King David fell into sin and committed adultery with Bathsheba.
David's sin escalated when she sent him word that she was pregnant. He tried to cover his sin by getting her husband Uriah drunk and sending him home to sleep with his wife. When this did not work, he arranged Uriah murdered in battle.
David thought that the entire matter was buried, but one day the prophet Nathan showed up and told David a story.
There was in his kingdom a poor man with a lamb which was considered to be a part of his family. There was also a rich man who owned many flocks. This rich man took the poor man's lamb and killed it to provide for a meal.
As David heard the story, he boiled with righteous indignation. The indignant King quickly passed judgment.
5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
Immediately Nathan pointed at David and declared Thou art the man. (2 Samuel 12:7)
That is exactly what God says here in Romans 2...
II-There Will Be No Escape
II-There Will Be No Escape
Romans 2:3 tells us that there will be no escape...God's judgment is certain.
Both, the heathen and the self-righteous man has experienced the goodness and forbearance and longsuffering of God. But how was God's grace received? It wasn't received, it was despised. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
The word despisest means to make of no account, to regard as nothing, to despise utterly, to treat with contempt. The heathen despised the goodness and forbearance and longsuffering of God by saying I don't want it, I want my sin instead.
The self-righteous man despised the goodness and forbearance and longsuffering of God by saying I don't need that, I am OK.
Paul said, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? God's goodness and forbearance and longsuffering should lead men to repentance. When they realize how wonderful He is, they ought to run to Him seeking His forgiveness. Instead many despise Him.
Men should see the goodness of God and understand:
· God has been better to them than they deserve.
· God has shown them kindness when they have ignored Him.
· God has shown them kindness when they have mocked Him.
· God is not a cruel master and they may safely surrender to Him.
· God is perfectly willing to forgive them.
· God should be served out of simple gratitude.
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. (Romans 2:5)
Prideful and stubborn man despises God's grace until finally his heart is hardened beyond repentance.
You cannot escape God’s jurisdiction. There will be no legal technicalities to free you. The only way of escape is through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way of salvation.
Notice,
III-The Judgment Will Be Fair
III-The Judgment Will Be Fair
Who will render to every man according to his deeds. (Romans 2:6) Lost man at the judgment of God will get exactly what he has coming. Paul gives two examples of man's deeds.
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
We all fit into one of two classifications...
First, the Continuing Saint.
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life. (Romans 2:7) The word continuance means "a cheerful and hopeful endurance." Here is a group of people who continue in the things of God cheerfully. This describes those who have trusted Christ and are saved.
Second, the Contentious Sinner.
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath. (Romans 2:8) This is a different crowd Paul says is contentious, and do not obey the truth. The word contentious speaks of wrangling and disputing. This is the man who, instead of receiving the truth, he contends against it. They are servants of self and want their own way, therefore they argue and wrangle against God's requirements.
This speaks of two different reactions to God. Man will react to God's grace in one of two ways—he will either Repent or He will Rebel. Therefore, there are two different results.
For the man who Rebels there is tribulation and anguish. (Romans 2:9)
For the man who Repents there is glory, honour, and peace. (Romans 2:10)
Man reaps what he sows.
IV-The Judgment Will Be Full
IV-The Judgment Will Be Full
God is always just and fair in His judgment. He will judge man based on the knowledge he has, and His knowledge is perfect! There’s no fake news when it comes to what God knows.
First, those with the Law will be Judged By The Law.
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; For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. (Romans 2:12-13)
The man who has heard the law of God will be judged according to the law. America is full of people who know right from wrong, yet refuse to submit to God. They live on in their sin enjoying its pleasures for a season. They know it is wrong, but they snub God and do as they will.
Second, those without the Law will be Judged By The Light.
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; (Romans 2:14-15)
People often ask, What about the heathen who has never heard the gospel? Is he lost? Of course He is lost.
God will be fair in His judgment, but no one goes to Heaven without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God will be perfectly fair and judge him according to the light that he has—his conscience as we studied last week in Romans 1.
V-The Judgment Will Be Fierce
V-The Judgment Will Be Fierce
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
That is one of the most frightening thoughts imaginable.
A day when men will face the reality of what their life was. What will be the basis of this judgment? The Gospel of Jesus Christ!
10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
The God Who knows the heart and works of all men will search and try them.
Daniel Webster, in answer to the question: "What is the greatest thought that ever entered your mind?" said, at once, "My responsibility to my Maker!"