Without Excuse

Romans 1:32 NIV

32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Ouch. This is not a verse that gets us very excited. It’s pointed… and it’s truth. Paul is concluding this passage on human sinfulness and corruption by confronting a condition that is equally as serious - in some ways more so. What is that condition?

Approval. Support of sin. The encouragement of evil by taking pleasure in the immoral actions of others, and thereby showing their approval of these actions.

Approving and defending ungodliness causes it to multiply in a society much faster than the sinful acts themselves.

The word “approve” (Greek word suneudokeo - Soon-yoo-dok-eh'-o), meaning agree with, consent to, or sympathize with, points to the casual enjoyment of the sins of others. It is the highest expression of corruption when sin and sensual behavior become a form of entertainment.

What Paul is talking about is NOT turning a blind eye to the issue… it is choosing to approve and to engage in the sinful act.

I would also suggest that turning a blind eye is just as bad. It may not be approval… but we have been called to be active in our faith… not apathetic regarding the condition of this world.

Jesus Himself called us to be the light to this world… a light to show this dark world the way back to Jesus.

Our walk with Jesus must be more than a claim and His light mist be evident in our lives. 1 John 1:5-7 says it this way.

1 John 1:5–7 NIV

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

So what is with this set up as we get ready to dive into chapter 2 of Romans? Paul is getting ready to flip the script.

So far, Paul has been talking about the shortcomings of others. It is easy for the reader to get behind the words of Romans 1 in agreement and point a judgmental finger towards others. So far… the Book of Romans has had an outward focus.

Paul is about to shift that focus… rather abruptly. The verse we read a moment ago was the closing verse of chapter one. That verse mentioned they, them, and others. But verse one of Romans chapter 2 comes out with a much different tone.

Romans 2:1 NIV

1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Uh.... what??? Why would Paul make this sudden shift?

Can anyone remember the theme or purpose of the Book of Romans?

God’s gift of righteousness revealed through Christ and received by faith.

Here’s the problem: It is EASY for us to read Romans 1 and come into agreement with everything Paul is saying about the unrighteousness of this world. When we do this… it can come from a position of self righteousness. “I’m glad I’m not one of those who are doing such bad and sinful things.”

Contextually speaking, Paul was pointing out the faults of the Gentiles to the Jews, but then he turns the tables on the Jews showing them that they who had received God’s law - practice the same ungodly behaviors and also need the spiritual salvation made available through Christ.

In other words… Paul just leveled the playing field! ALL have sinned… both Jew and Gentile! ALL fall short… both Jew and Gentile! We have no righteousness of our own to speak of… WE ALL NEED A SAVIOR!

And what follows in chapter two serves to reinforce this truth.

The Problem with Judgement…

First off… what is judgement?

Judgement is the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing. GREAT definition.

Why? Because of that last little word thrown in there: comparing. What we compare with… matters.

MOST of the time, we have a tendency to compare situations and/or responses… with what we would do.

I would NEVER do that! I would NEVER say that! If that were me I would have done ____________. If that were my kid, I wouldn’t allow that.

We put “me” into the equation as the point of comparison. AND… we often do that while reading Romans 1.

Yup… sounds just like the world. I’m glad I’m not the one inventing ways to do evil. I’m glad I’m not given over to a depraved mind. Me, me, me… I, I, I… as if we can stand in our own self righteousness in comparison.

So Paul presents the Jewish audience with this truth.

Romans 2:2–5 NIV

2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 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.

Verse two begins by revealing the standard by which God passes judgement which is: TRUTH. Who’s truth? HIS TRUTH… not the world’s truth.

Secondly, Paul reminds the reader that ALL of us will be “judged” by this same truth.

You and me… we are not exempt from this judgement! Now bear with me as we are going to talk about the provisions Christ has made for us but for now we MUST understand… we will ALL be judged by God according to His truth.

We will NOT be judged according to our “wisdom” and “understanding.” And I say that because I find it funny that we… the world… try to judge even God according to our “standard.”

Well, if God is all loving, then this wouldn’t happen. If God was all powerful, this wouldn’t happen. If God is able to heal, then this wouldn’t happen.

Can I tell you… God IS all of these things AND He doesn’t NOT operate according to our limited understanding… and to that I say THANK GOD! His ways and thoughts are HIGHER than ours!

Bottom line is: God is judge, His truth is the standard, and per verse 3… NO ONE WILL ESCAPE GOD’S JUDGEMENT.

Lastly, God is trying to lead us away from wrath… and into repentance.

Look at the list in verse 5… His kindness, forbearance, and patience is given that they might lead us to what? REPENTANCE!

He is patient with us, kind toward us, He is forbearing or lenient toward us. WE DO NOT DESERVE ANY OF THIS… but He gives it anyway so that we might find our way to repentance.

So next, Paul talks about...

The Path to Repentance

Romans 2:6–11 NIV

6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

Right out of the box, we need to notice something important. Do you see anything in verse 6 that might require a bit more research?

The quotation marks. Paul is directly quoting another source in this verse. That source is Psalm 62:12

Psalm 62:12 NIV

12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

I believe Paul does this to remind the reader that these are not his words, but God’s words. It is the same reason we quote Scripture in sermons and studies. Paul is in a way saying, “don’t take my word for it, remember God’s Word regarding this matter.”

With this truth in the forefront, Paul lays out a simple reminder.

Verse 7 talks about seeking God.

Doing good, seeking glory (God’s glory), seeking honor, and seeking immortality - HE will give eternal life.

Eternal life is found in Christ alone. These attributes are the fruit of living in relationship with Jesus.

Remember the verse from 1 John 1… our walk with the Lord must be MORE THAN a claim. It must be active faith.

Verse 8 talks about seeking the world.

This includes self-seeking and the rejection of truth. Such will result in the person following evil.

For such choices… a person will face the wrath of God.

Now notice something… there still is no mention of escaping God’s judgement.

ALL people will be judged. We cannot escape that. BUT… for those who are in Christ, Jesus takes on our punishment… He takes on God’s wrath for OUR sins… and pays for it with His life.

We are ALL condemned sinners… but we are set free from the consequences of our sins through the FORGIVENESS of our sins.

For those who are NOT in Christ, they will face the full wrath of God.

The ONLY DIFFERENCE between these two scenarios is JESUS!

ALL are sinners. ALL are worthy of judgement. ALL should be condemned for their sins. Some WILL be condemned… others will be set free.

It has nothing to do with our own “righteousness,” it has everything to do with our faith in the Lord.

God is trying to lead all people to Jesus through His kindness, patience, and forbearance… but not all will find Jesus. BUT… for those who do, before we get in the habit of judging others by comparing them to ourselves… lets remember it was JESUS that made the difference in us!

Closing

The point of all of this is simple: we would be in the midst of the Romans 1 list of sinners… if not for Jesus.

In fact, we are guilty of sin just as much as the Romans 1 sinners are guilty of sin. The only difference is… instead of casting judgement, someone in our lives introduced us to Jesus.

So my call to action from this study is this: Give them Jesus, not judgement. Give the world what someone graciously gave you.

God has extended to us patience, kindness, and forbearance in the attempt to lead us to repentance.

If God is willing to do this… so should His people be willing to do this. God’s heart is for all to come to repentance. He desires for NO ONE to perish. That means all people matter to Him.

Therefore, instead of viewing people in a negative and judgmental light… let’s shine the light of Christ to those that Jesus died for.

He died for you… He died for me… He died for EVERY sinner on this world. His grace is sufficient. His love endures forever. His blood is enough.

None of us would be here without Jesus. The only hope this world has is in Jesus. Let’s choose to offer to this world the name of the One who made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in our lives!