No Partiality with God

Sermon Title: No Partiality with God

Series Title: Journey’s Road Map

Text: Romans 2:1–11 (ESV)

[Introduction]

A man was pulled over for speeding. The officer asked, “Do you know how fast you were going?”

The man grinned and said, “Not really, officer—I was trying to keep up with traffic.”

The officer looked around at the empty road and said, “Sir, there is no traffic.”

The man sighed, “Well… that just shows how far behind I am!”

A man once went to traffic court for speeding. As he waited, he heard case after case dismissed because the officer who wrote the ticket didn’t show up. When his turn came, he smiled, ready to be free. But the judge looked down and said, “Oh, in this case, the officer is present.” Judgment was given, and the fine was paid. The man thought he was the exception, but justice caught up.

Paul, in Romans 2:1–11, warns us against the false security of thinking God’s judgment will somehow skip over us. In chapter 1, Paul spoke of God’s wrath against the world’s unrighteousness. But now he turns and addresses the moralist, the religious, the one quick to judge others. His message is clear: God shows no partiality.

[Point 1: The Danger of Hypocritical Judgment]

Paul begins in verse 1: “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.”

Paul isn’t condemning discernment—he’s condemning hypocrisy. It’s easy to look at the sins listed in Romans 1 and say, “Yes, the world is evil!” But Paul says, “What about you?” The same seeds of sin are in every human heart.

This is especially a warning to the religious who think they are safe because of their morality. Condemning others while practicing the same things only doubles the guilt.

Illustration: It’s like someone in a gym criticizing others for being out of shape while secretly eating donuts in the locker room. Pointing fingers doesn’t erase your own struggle. It only reveals your blindness.

Application: Before we judge the world around us, we must let God’s Word judge us. Ask: Am I condemning in others what I quietly excuse in myself? The gospel calls us to humility, not hypocrisy.

[Point 2: God’s Kindness Is Meant to Lead to Repentance]

Paul continues in verses 4–5: “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?”

The danger here is mistaking God’s patience for permission. Just because judgment hasn’t come yet doesn’t mean it won’t. God withholds His wrath not because He’s weak, but because He’s merciful, giving space for repentance.

Paul warns: if we persist in hardness of heart, we are “storing up wrath” for ourselves. Every day of unrepentance adds to the account.

Illustration: Picture a credit card statement where you only make minimum payments while continuing to charge more each month. The debt grows silently until one day it crushes you. That’s what unrepentant sin is like.

Application: Have you confused God’s patience with indifference? His kindness is an open door to repentance, not a free pass to keep sinning. Today is the day to turn back.

[Point 3: God Judges Impartially by Works]

Verses 6–11 say: “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking… there will be wrath and fury.”

Paul is not teaching salvation by works—he is describing the evidence of genuine faith. Those who truly belong to God are marked by perseverance in doing good, seeking His glory, not their own. Those who reject God live for self and reap wrath.

The key is in verse 11: “For God shows no partiality.” Jews, Gentiles, moralists, pagans, religious, irreligious—all stand equal before God. There are no favorites in His courtroom.

Illustration: Imagine a teacher grading papers. It doesn’t matter if you’re the teacher’s pet or the class clown—your grade is based on the work turned in. In God’s courtroom, there are no curve grades, no favoritism. Only truth.

Application: Are you relying on your heritage, your morality, your reputation, or your faith in Christ? On the day of judgment, only one will stand. Let your life show evidence of genuine faith, not empty religion.

[Conclusion]

Romans 2:1–11 shatters illusions. There are no “good people” exempt from God’s judgment. There are no religious credentials that secure a free pass. God is impartial. His kindness is real, His patience is merciful, but His judgment is certain.

The good news is this: the One who judges impartially also offers salvation universally. Christ bore the wrath we stored up so that through Him, we could receive eternal life.

So the question is: Will you presume on His kindness, or will you repent and receive His mercy? Will you judge others, or will you let God’s Word judge you?

No partiality. No excuses. Only Christ.

Amen.