We Need a Savior

Romans Speaks to Us Today

I am enjoying studying and preparing these messages on Romans. I’ve had a couple of weeks to digest our passage this morning and hope to offer some insights with the help of Holy Spirit.

There is a battle, a tension, in Christian circles. Some believe that the Church is a dead institution that is not needed.  They claim we are free in Christ with no formal worship or accountability. They point to failures of pastors and worship leaders who have fallen into sin. They point out that the Church is not a building, it is Spirit. They have some legitimate points.

The other side, the other team, claims that the Church has done and continues to do great good. The Church has traditionally and continues to shape the morality of people providing discipleship and encounters with God. Collectively we worship, develop relationships, and engage in missions. They also have some legitimate points.

As a pastor, I am invested in the church. This week has been filled with making sure donations for the flood disaster get to the people in need. I met with the Board and gave reports, and we updated our child abuse policy among other things. I met with Pastor Sonia and Cindy to discuss needs of the preschool. I prepared for and conducted the Family Night Study. On Thursday I worked with BJ and Andrew to mow and begin the reconstruction of the fence. I don’t give a list of the past week’s activities as justification of my role, but as a witness to the fact that church workers and ministers are busy doing the work of the ministry.

I’m not saying that those who shun the formality, the hierarchy, of the Church are wrong. I have some friends in that camp. It is not my preference which brings me to the second chapter of Romans.

Paul addresses both the Gentiles and the Jews. For simplicity, let’s say the Gentiles had no use for the rules of the Jews, but they didn’t understand the principles behind the rules. Now let’s also acknowledge that the Jewish law did not save the Jewish people. Just by following the rules, the hearts of the Jews could still be corrupt and sinful.

Paul has to communicate to 2 groups of people in one letter – and that letter would be timeless and universal.

We Need a Savior

No Excuses!

Romans 1 had established that sin is a huge problem for all mankind and that sin is a downward spiral. It is a universal problem – a me and (a) you problem.

Romans 2:1–4 NIV

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. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 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? 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?

There is a standard of right and wrong, but both the Jews and the Gentiles are guilty.

We Reap What We Sow

We have all suppressed that truth and engaged in sin, so we all come under the righteous judgment of God.[1]

Romans 2:5–11 NIV

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

Guilty! Both Jews and Gentiles

Romans 2:12–16 NIV

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

7 Principles of Divine Judgment

1. God’s judgment is certain (2:3).

Paul connects the certainty of judgment with the need for repentance. “God’s kindness leads you toward repentance” (2:4). Beware of taking God’s mercy for granted. God shows “kindness, tolerance and patience” (2:4) to allow people an opportunity to turn from sin, turn to Him, and escape punishment.[2]

2. God’s judgment is universal (2:9-10)

3. God’s judgment is based on truth (2:2).

I remember having to film some of my classes during my first year of teaching. Not only did I realize how many times I said “umm”, I realized that the child I thought was doing something wrong was actually the second child doing something wrong. My judgment was faulty but God’s is not.

4. God’s judgment is based on what a person does (2:6).

We will come back to this point again.

5. God’s judgment is impartial (2:11).  

“For God does not show favoritism” is a wonderful truth. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius was pivotal (see the article)

6. God’s judgment is based on light given (2:12).

The greater the revelation, the greater the obligation. However, that being said, even the Gentiles had been given the creation and an inner consciousness.

You may ask, “Can those who have never heard the gospel be saved by obeying the voice of conscience? Will they go to heaven if they obey the voice of their conscience?” How many people do you suppose obey their conscience on every occasion without fail? Have you? No one has been fully able to obey his or her conscience any more than a Jew could fully obey the Law. Paul’s purpose is to convince the moralist who condemns, as well as the Jew who boasts in the Law, that all people need the Savior.[3]

7. God’s judgment is through Jesus Christ (2:16)

Jews, Don’t Act So Pious!

My first job was working with a construction crew building houses. One of our rotating foremen was a man named Jason who had recently served time for drug related charges – I didn’t ask. He drove an old 1960 blue chevy truck with the rounded fenders around the back tires. Best truck body Chevy ever had. I didn’t think about his truck as we were driving down the road one morning. I pointed to another vehicle that was holding together by duct tape and prayers and made a sarcastic comment. This rough carpenter looked at me and said, “Maybe they don’t really care about how it looks. Maybe they care about other things.” I closed my mouth and spent a lot of time thinking about my judgments.

Paul has established that sin is a universal problem we have no excuse, we will reap what we sow, and God’s judgment is just. Now Paul says, “Watch out when you point out the sins of others because 3 fingers are pointing back at you.

Romans 2:17–24 NIV

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

It is as though Jesus were drawing in the dirt. Do you remember the woman being accused of adultery? Nobody knows what Jesus wrote but when he suggested that the man without a sin cast the first stone…everybody walked away.

Obedience is the Key, Not the Membership Card

A commanding officer once gathered his troops and said, “We’re about to begin a difficult mission. I need only those who are truly committed to follow me.”

Nearly every soldier in the unit stepped forward. They all wore the same uniform, bore the same rank insignias, and had trained together for years. One soldier, however, stood confidently at the front and said, “Sir, you already know I’m with you. I’ve been part of this unit since day one. I never miss a roll call. I attend every meeting.”

The officer looked at him and replied, “Attendance proves you’re part of the unit. Obedience proves you’re part of the mission.”

Jesus isn’t calling us to just show up—He’s calling us to follow Him in obedience. Church membership may put our name on a roll, but only obedience puts our heart in His will. Like the soldier who thinks presence is enough, many believe church attendance equals discipleship. But Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Membership may show association—but obedience reveals transformation.

Romans 2:25–29 NIV

Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

God established a covenant with Abraham, the father of Israel. For approximately two millennia the sign of the covenant was circumcision of the male (normally on the 8th day after birth). It was a reminder of God’s promise and a symbol of the need for cleansing.

Having the membership card, circumcision, did not make them righteous; a heart with the right motives and passions for God did. Christians must have a heart for the mission.

So, as we turn the pages into the 3rd chapter we realize…

We Are ALL in Need of a Savior

Paul’s teaching raises some potential concerns:

1. What Paul is saying seems to undermine God’s covenant

Romans 3:1–2 NIV

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

No! The Jews have a great advantage, they have access to the very words of God.

2. Is Paul calling into question the faithfulness of God?

Romans 3:3 NIV

What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?

No! God will never break His promises.

3. Is God unjust? Does my unfaithfulness make God just look better?

[I’ve seen t-shirts that seem to celebrate things that are sinful – cussing, drunkenness, self-seeking behaviors. But they’ll say “I’m forgiven” which is true…but is true but what are we really saying?]

Romans 3:5–8 NIV

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!

Our Conclusion?

Paul is ready to bring us in for a landing.

Romans 3:9–18 NIV

What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Humanity, we have a problem!

Romans 3:19–20 NIV

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

We Need a Savior!

WE HAVE A SAVIOR! JESUS CHRIST!

[1]NIV Bible Speaks Today: Notes (London: IVP, 2020), 1536.

[2]William F. Lasley and Richard Dresselhaus, Romans: Justification by Faith: An Independent-Study Textbook, Third Edition (Springfield, MO: Global University, 2010), 50.

[3]William F. Lasley and Richard Dresselhaus, Romans: Justification by Faith: An Independent-Study Textbook, Third Edition (Springfield, MO: Global University, 2010), 51–52.