Mirror of the Heart

Romans  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Introduction

A man thinks his wife is losing her hearing. A doctor suggests that he try a simple at-home test: Stand behind her, ask her a question from different distances, and see when she can hear it.
The man goes home, sees his wife in the kitchen facing the stove, and asks from the door, “What’s for dinner tonight?” No answer. Ten feet behind her, he repeats, “What’s for dinner tonight?” Still no answer.
Finally, right over her shoulder he says, “What’s for dinner tonight?” His wife turns around and says, “For the third time—chicken.”
Application:
Have you ever misjudged a situation or person only to realize you were in the wrong?
Today we will look at what the bible has to say about Judging others, and more importantly, Judging ourselves.

Overview

To Judge or Not to Judge
The Guilt of Man
The Mirror
The Way of Absolution

Scripture & Prayer

prayer
Romans 2:1 (ESV)
Therefore...[you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.]
Let’s look back briefly at last week’s passage to see what he is referring to.
Romans 1:18 (ESV)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Romans 1:32 (ESV)
Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
I can imagine the Moralist listening thinking,
“That’s right, those dishonoring, thankless, futile thinking, foolish hearted, Idol worshiping, sexual deviant inventors of evil; they deserve to Die!” the gavel is dropped. GUILTY!
They Judge correctly. Paul clearly and unequivocally makes the case for the guilt of man before our righteous and just GOD.
And he affirms this as he states:
Romans 2:2 ESV
We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.
But the “judge” missed one little detail… their own guilt.
Paul is about to level his sights on the Jewish reader and we Christians by proxy. In this chapter, provoking them into a true “come to Jesus moment” in the next chapter.
Romans 2:1 ESV
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
Romans 2:2 ESV
We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.
So my question to you is...

Judgement : Is it wrong to judge others?

Many might take this as a prohibition of judging other. But with more careful consideration, we see the focus is not the act of judging others rather the judge’s inability to see their own sin. These Jewish listeners or even the pagan moralists listening, were blind to their own spiritual condition, relying on their religious affiliation, or a false sense of superiority based on comparison between themselves and other people.
Although they likely did not commit the exact same sins mentioned earlier, like practicing homosexuality for instance, they lusted with their eyes. Nor did not rob a traveler on the road, but they cheated in their business doings. The Actions are different but the same sinful heart is behind it. Missing the mark is missing the mark no matter the degree. One sin may be more refined than another but the consequence is the same in the eyes of God.

It is Wrong to Judge if you are a Hypocrite.

L 6:41 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Judgement : Right Motives

Judgement : Discernment

In discerning Good and Evil
Matthew 7:15 ““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Judgement : Arbitration

Settling disputes within the church
1 Corinthians 6:3 “Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!”

Judgement : Restoration

Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

Judgement : Truth

2 Timothy 4:2 “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Does the Bible Mean that We Are Not to Judge Others?

If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is his Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with his sin (Matthew 18:15–17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope—and with the ultimate goal—of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20) and restoration to the fellowship. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim what God’s Word says about sin. 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs us, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” We are to “judge” sin, but always with the goal of presenting the solution for sin and its consequences—the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

Justice and Judgment belong to the Lord according to his standard. Yet as we participate in the will of God we will judge, others, and ourselves but not based on an arbitrary standard like our “feelings”. We must continually seek out his counsel to judge rightly according to the truth.
James 4:12 (ESV)
12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
To summarize, When it comes to judging i will use words from my little sister.
“check yourself before you wreck yourself”

Guilt of Man

Romans 2:3 ESV
Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:4 ESV
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Paul is saying, “You are guilty but do you spit in the face of God, and take for granted his kindness?” That was meant to continually turn you toward him.
thinking “I go to church, I will be ok.” or, “Jesus loves me so I can sin a little bit more. He will forgive me.”
Don’t Miss the point.
Yes Jesus Loves you.
Yes, Jesus Forgives you.
That is true every day of the week, and we need it.
but do You love Him?
Do you follow Him?
Do not take His Gift for granted, do not delay, Do not be luke warm, do not waist your time only to hear Him say, on that day, depart from me you never knew me.
God is giving time for more to come to him and be save.
2 Peter 3:9 ESV
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Romans 2:5 ESV
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Romans 2:6 ESV
He will render to each one according to his works:
Romans 2:7 ESV
to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
or better stated: incorruptibility
Romans 2:8 ESV
but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
Romans 2:9 ESV
There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
Romans 2:10 ESV
but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
Romans 2:11 ESV
For God shows no partiality.
Does God Judge our works?
God judges the heart. Works are simply evidence.
Luke 6:45 ESV
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Romans 2:12 (ESV)
For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
Romans 2:13 ESV
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Doers of the Law present evidence of faith in Jesus.
James 1:23 ESV
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
James 1:24 ESV
For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
James 1:25 ESV
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

The Mirror

What is the function of the law and conscience?
The Law functions as a mirror by which we can measure ourselves and
evaluate ourselves in our Christ Likeness.
Easton's Bible Dictionary CONSCIENCE—that faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong, by which we judge of the moral character of human conduct. It is common to all men. Like all our other faculties, it has been perverted by the Fall
Romans 2:14 ESV
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
Romans 2:15 ESV
They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
Quote
Their thoughts conflict with one another, but they express themselves in moral terms. They accuse and excuse their own behavior and that of others. These accusations and excuses are often false, but they show that in the Gentiles’ thinking, morality is an issue.
This is true in our culture. We see little real faith around us, but we hear a great deal of moral debate. It seems that people are constantly accusing and excusing. In recent years, it has seemed that every slip of the tongue brings a demand for a public apology, but the general moral tone of civil society has rarely been lower.
John M. Frame
Romans 2:16 ESV
on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
According to the Gospel Paul preaches. Jesus is not only Savior of the world, but also Judge of it.
Matthew 16:27 ESV
For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 ESV
For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Conclusion - The Way of Absolution

In conclusion,
If we are to judge others we should first judge ourselves and judge rightly.
Measuring ourselves against God’s perfect standard, the Law, and assessing the state of our conscience.
God is the only person truly qualified to judge because he is incorruptible, and knows the secrets of our hearts.
Ultimately we cannot live up to the standard by which we will be judged. This leaves us in a difficult position. No amount of good works, or effort will absolve us of our guilt.
But there is hope! There is good news! There is a way!
Our penalty has been paid, and we can be saved from the just penalty for our wrongdoings against others, ourselves and against God.
Jesus Christ lived the life we could not live, Took the punishment we deserve, If we are only honest with ourselves about our brokenness, and repent. change our minds, away from the old life and toward Jesus, He will receive us and walk with us through His Spirit in a new life.
Not are we saved from the penalty of sin, but we will have power over sin and the ability to be free to live as God designed us to live.
God Bless you and we all be Doers today!
Romans 3:23 ESV
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:24–26 ESV
and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
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