10) My Judgement Reveals My Condemnation
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
The Gospel. The good news. We use this word as more of an adjective in our conversations today. A genre of music. A title to an organization. But do we really know what this word means and what the implications are for not unknowing what God a spoken about the Gospel about his message to the world. This isn’t a man made idea or argument.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.
Paul has finished the first pillar of the Gospel message. That God’s wrath has been revealed against the unrighteous and the ungodly. He has thoroughly proven that all men are fallen sinners. They have rejected the witness of God in creation, worshiped this world and not the one who created it. He gave multiple examples and proofs of this reality. He showed the results of fallen men who have been delivered to their sinful hearts desires, their disgraceful passions, and corrupt minds.
Proving that all men find themselves in full rebellion to God, blind in their sin to see or recognize him. No way to wake up, no way to see, running head long into destruction. Fallen wicked men, hating God acting like the ungodly they are.
29 They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful. 32 Although they know God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.
So what. Why should they care? Why did Paul spend so much time on the fallenness of man. Because Paul believes God’s word. He believes that there is a judgement to come. That there are dire consequences for a man who’s life ends in this state of unrepentant rebellion. Now that he has shown man’s fallen state, he will know show man’s greatest need. That there is a judgement coming for all. So today we start Paul’s teaching on God’s judgement.
1 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. 3 Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.
There is No Exemption from the Law
There is No Exemption from the Law
It is easy when we start to look at sin that we find ourselves dismissing our own sins and only seeing the sins of others. Paul transitions from talking about those that are lost to including his readers. He brings them into the conversation. It moves from being about them over there, those people, to include us right here.
1 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
Because God’s wrath has been revealed and sinners applaud those who practice their wickedness, Paul states everyone of you who judges is without excuse. It is no longer just those that are on the out side it includes everyone of you who judges.
Those that are judging are without excuse as well. The root word for excuse means to say. The idea it that when accused of violating a law you stand with nothing to say, no excuse, you are indefensible. To stand before a judge without an argument that would justify their actions or behaviors.
What does it mean to be the judge of something. It means to evaluate a person’s actions against some standard. It is supposed to be without bias. To take a set of laws or rules and to set the accused before the judge. It is the judge’s responsibility to carefully evaluate and determine whether the accused is guilty or not guilty of violating the standard, the law.
Paul addresses those in the body of believers that performing this action. They could be Jews that are judging the gentiles to a standard but not living it out themselves or people who are hypocritically judging other people.
They stand before others and evaluate their behavior and are calling them guilty. Just like we do when we look out into the world and see the things on the news or around us and we say look, those people are violating the law. They are guilty. Where is a highway patrolman when a person speeds through a stop sign or cuts you off on the freeway.
They have climbed into the judge’s seat, picked up the gavel and a set of rules and are now distributing judgements to those that are before the court. However, there is a problem.
1 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
By sitting in the judgement seat, they freely sit in the place of authority and call for the next defendant. They hear the case and call out guilty. Next. Guilty. Bring in another. Guilty. Over and over those before the court are found guilty. So what is the problem. The issue is that the judges are practicing the exact same crimes. The defendant looks up to the stand and says “wait” why am I guilty for speeding when I saw you fly by me on the freeway yesterday.
A judge who practices what he condemns, condemns himself. For in the judgement he acknowledges what is right. He agrees with the standard. But in his life he shows he believes one of four things:
First he shows that he believes he is above the law. That he is some how exempt or that it doesn’t apply to him and his situation. That he will never have to stand in the courtroom on the other side of the bench.
Second he shows that he does not fear of being found guilty. He has deceived himself that he is innocent and would never be convicted of the same crimes.
Third, he knows that he is guilty but does not fear the sentence or penalty that is just for the crime.
By their judgements they prove that they are no different than the lost pagan, hopeless, unbelievers that were in the previous passage but they demonstrate just the opposite. The same condemnation for the fallen man still applies to them.
32 Although they know God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.
This leave a fourth possible motivation, he believes that his secret sin will stay that way, secret. That he knows he is not above the law, he knows that he is guilty, he knows the penalty and fears to be given the penalty. But he thinks that he will never be found out that he will never have to enter the court house. He will never be caught so he will never be held accountable. The issue is there are no secret sins.
11 The Lord knows the thoughts of mankind; they are futile.
Before the transgression was ever committed, the just judge was aware of it.
16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.
In Ephesians Paul writes
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
Why would God create a plan before the foundation of the world to make men holy if no sin had yet been corrupted, a plan of redemption though Jesus’ blood if no man had fallen from grace , a plan of adoption if no men were spiritual orphans, a plan of reconciliation if no man had been separated from God, a plan of forgiveness if there was yet to be the first trespass.
Why would he make this plan if he could not know the beginning and the end. For God knows all and there is not a thought or motive hidden from his sight.
37 When there is famine in the land, when there is pestilence, when there is blight or mildew, locust or grasshopper, when their enemy besieges them in the land and its cities, when there is any plague or illness, 38 every prayer or petition that any person or that all your people Israel may have— they each know their own affliction— as they spread out their hands toward this temple, 39 may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and may you forgive, act, and give to everyone according to all their ways, since you know each heart, for you alone know every human heart, 40 so that they may fear you all the days they live on the land you gave our ancestors.
A judge that sits condemning what he does himself is a many who lives as if he has no sin.
8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Paul is arguing that no man is free from the wrath of God. That even those that are in judgement of others have a false security in regards to their own sin.
The Right Law
The Right Law
2 Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth.
He includes himself with the group of Christians that he is writing too. He says we know the right law. We are evaluating with the correct set of laws. The problem is not that they are using the wrong standard. It is that they are applying it only externally and not internally. They use it as a window into the hearts of others but fail to use it as a mirror to their own hearts.
People are very good about evaluating and convicting others of violating our own laws or the laws and commands of God.
We can quote Jesus when some one is pointing out our sin. But woe to the one who cannot look at themselves.
1 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use. 3 Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye. 6 Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.
Why is it that sinners are so blind to their own sin. They are super sensitive to others. They will gather and condemn with great veracity and expediency but when it comes to themselves there isn’t even a recognition that there is anything wrong. It is a great demonstration of the pride of man.
18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
This arrogant spirit blinds a person to their own sin. How arrogant does a person have to be to know the truth that God is just in his judgement on sin and then to live as if exempt from the same laws? This basically what Paul askes next.
No Legal Loophole
No Legal Loophole
3 Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment?
To live as if there is a loophole, and escape clause, a personal exemption. The sin of man never starts with taking responsibility for their own actions. The default response is that my own sin is someone else’s fault. I cannot be responsible what what I did, that is just crazy. Blame and redirection. Like a child who when confronted with sin blames their siblings for their one actions. We see it over and over in scripture.
Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent.
12 The man replied, “The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13 So the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Aaron blames the people for the calf he made.
22 “Don’t be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil. 23 They said to me, ‘Make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’ 24 So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off,’ and they gave it to me. When I threw it into the fire, out came this calf!”
Saul blames Samuel for not showing up in time.
11 and Samuel asked, “What have you done?” Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash, 12 I thought, ‘The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”
The sinner always believes there is a way out a loophole. But Paul points out how absurd it is that they judge the world around them yet believe that they will escape punishment themselves for doing the same things. What they are doing is just as wicked as the unrighteous and ungodly that were spoken of in the first chapter. Do you think you have an escape...
The Just Sentence
The Just Sentence
4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.
Do you despise God’s kindness? This would have been a slap in the face. What you are doing is either taking for granted that you will be judged yourself or you are taking advantage of God’s kindness.
Do you look down on what God is doing for you? He is heaping a wealth of his kindness on you by not judging you this day. By not distributing the wrath that you so deserve. You oh sinner have earned the death penalty. You have earned your own eternal punishment. You are arrogant, wicked, unworthy and are deserving of the just punishment that you so willingly apply to others.
Do you despise God that much? Do you look down on his restraint that has been given for your life. That he withheld so that you may come to be reconciled to God. That he withheld so that the human race could continue. Adam and Eve earned death on that day and the moment we were conceived, our hardened hearts would never repent on our own.
5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
They take for granted the patients that God has shown. Where would we be without his patience. God’s kindness was not given for us to continue sinning as if the law does not apply to us. It’s intent is for sinful man to come to repentance. To repent and believe, to trust in the lord, to submit to him, to have a heart that is turned from stone and given life. Recognize that all men are in the same boat, there are no special people in regards to God justice. All must stand be for the court.
The Jews knew that the wrath of God will come. But there were many lies that they believed regarding this judgment. Many believed that their own heritage would save them that since they were son of Abraham they would be saved from God’s wrath.
30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him. 31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
There were others that believed that they would be safe from God’s wrath by doing the works of the Law. The Pharisees were great at living a life that followed the Law legally but Jesus would call them vipers, empty tombs, white washed walls. Pretty on the outside rotting on the inside. Conforming their behavior to looking like a son of God but actually being a son of the Devil. The one that is at work in the disobedient.
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn’t come on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
There were and are many other lies that people believe to tell themselves that their sin doesn’t matter. That they will be saved. That God is so loving that he would never send anyone to hell. Lie. That all men and women will make it to heaven. Lie. That if you are a good person you will make it to heaven. Lie. That if you love everyone unconditionally, even their sinful behavior that you will make it to heaven. Lie. That there are many ways to make it to heaven. Lie.
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
That I prayed a prayer in VBS 20 years ago or at a revival or conference they I am saved. Lie.
None of those save you from the Judgement of God. One day God’s patience will come to an end. Not because he is fed up but because the appointed time will come. The number will be gathered. The lost sheep will have found the great shepherd. for God’s righteous judgement will be fully revealed.
5 Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The second part of the Gospel is the righteous Judgement of God. This will be the topic for the next chapter and a half as this is one of the most rejected and neglected truths in world today. If the enemy can take away the consequence of the trespass, make iniquity seem acceptable, and make sin the goal, then the need of the Gospel goes away. If I am not going to have any consequences, then there is no need to repent and believe in the doctrine of Judgement.
The sinner on the outside finds himself lost and blind. In complete rebellion in heart and action. But the sinner who finds himself inside the people of God, masquerading as a man of righteousness. Walking through the community condemning those around. More than willing to wield the words of God against others but never willing to turn the book to his own life to his own heart.
The questions we must ask ourselves is:
Do we live as if we are beyond the law? That this book is only for others. Willing to share what you need to change in your life. Willing to condemn you for your actions. Willing send men before God’s judgement. If we live this way we are provoking God’s wrath in our lives.
Or
Do you have a practice of searching the scriptures to know how God’s law applies to your life and letting it change and mold you. Break you like a pot to be remolded by God.
Do we live as if we will never be found guilty before God. To live as if our sin does not have consequences. We are not afraid of the court because we will not be found guilty.
Or
Do you recognize that you were born guilty before the Law and it is only by Jesus shed blood and his perfect life that you will ever be found not guilty.
Do you live as if the punishment is easy. That the burden is light. That when God’s restraint and patience come to an end you will be just fine. That you will make because you are that powerful and special.
Or are you terrified of the power of God and his wrath. His discipline and correction. His mighty hand that punishes the rebellious in this world and the next for those that do not believe.
Do you live as if your sin will never be found out? Do you live as if some how you are the only one who has hidden themselves from the sight of the Lord.
Or
Do you seek to fall at the feet of the merciful Lord. Seeking forgiveness through confession and repentance daily. Daily crucifying the desires of the flesh and living out the desires of the spirit.
We must live as genuine people. Not the hypocritical Leader, Parent, Pastor,
There is a Judgement, an evaluation, that will take place for every man and woman and only those that stand before the throne of God and found not guilty will be those that walk through the court of the King abiding in Jesus and Jesus abiding in him.
Let us pray.
Let us pray.
Prayer
Blessing/Benediction
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
