Principles of Gods Judgement

This morning we are looking at the result of the actions condemned in chapter 1.

Paul made a strong argument in the previous chapter against the things that the people were doing.

Now in chapter 2 he starts looking at the ones who know the truth and yet do nothing with it.

The ones who judge others but are doing the same bad things that the one they are judging.

I would like to tell you a story of a little boy who one day thought it would be a good idea to take a squirrel to chruch with him.

All the way down to the amen pew Where sat Sister Bertha better-than-you Who'd been watchin' all the commotion with sadistic glee But you should've seen the look in her eyes When that squirrel jumped her garters and crossed her thighs She jumped to her feet and said "Lord have mercy on me" As the squirrel made laps inside her dress She began to cry and then to confess to sins that would make a sailor blush with shame She told of gossip and church dissension but the thing that got the most attention Was when she talked about her love life And then she started naming names!

How many times do we look down on people and think what they are doing is wrong yet we have sins in our life that are just as bad?

Knowledge v1

The Therefore here that starts out the first verse in chapter 2 is referring back to the last half of chapter 1.

Paul in chapter 2 starts addressing a new but also just as dangerous person and that is the one of high moral character who judges those beneath them but does nothing to help those who are lost in sin.

It will become clear in verse 17 of this chapter that Paul is referring to Jews in the city of Rome, who pass judgement on gentiles, while thinking that they are better and superior to the gentiles both morally and spiritually.

A lot of these jews even thought that the gentiles were beyond the interest of Gods mercy and salvation.

The phrase in this verse “everyman” also includes us today.

How many times do we look at a person and judge them but do not help them?

That is like see a person drowning but yet not helping that person.

When we Judge others we show that we have the knowledge of whats right and whats wrong- therefore we should do whats right and not whats wrong.

One of the hardest things in the life of the Christian to tame and to get under control is our own self-righteous spirit.

We are better than no one else the only difference in us and the pagan next to us is that we know the truth and should be sharing it with them.

Truth vv2-3

As believers we know the truth.

We know the standards that God has called us too, and what the punishment is for breaking those standards.

We are also reminded of the encounter between David and the prophet Nathan in 2 Sam. 12:1-14.

David agreed that the rich man who killed the poor mans pet lamb deserved to die.

But having passed judgement on another David quickly learned from Nathan that he had judged himself.

In judging another you have judged yourself.

Gods judgement is based on truth.

It is impartial and makes no distinction between rich and poor, king or pauper.

The answer to the question in verse 3 would have to be no.

That God judges fairly leads necessarily to the conclusion that those who do what they condemn in others must receive the same penalty.

Guilt vv4-5

Verses 4 asks two parallel questions:

“Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience”?

“Not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance”?

The answer to both of these questions is yes.

Because when we judge others for doing the same things that we do then we are being hypocritical.

We must see that by withholding punishment God is trying to lead us to repentance.

Gods gracious dealing with His own people should have taught them of His kindness and patience.

But true to human nature, such things are rather quickly forgotten.

They are “known” yet “forgotten” and must be brought to mind repeatedly.

In verse 5 Paul talks about the people having hardened hearts to the things of God.

A hardened heart is the most dangerous thing that a person can have.

This is the truth for the believer and the unbeliever alike.

If you do something over and over again but you know it is wrong then over time your heart and your soul will get use to it and soon it wont be a big deal to you, this is when we start to store up the wrath of God on us when we enter into the time of judgement.

By allowing things that we know are wrong into our lives we push the good and the true things of God out and soon there is more bad and wrong than there is good.

We see this with people, groups, and churches.

Deeds vv6-10

First and foremost we need to make it clear that Paul is not saying in these verses that deeds can get you into Heaven.

We are saved by grace through faith.

However in this passage he shows that faith in Jesus Christ is not just a personal thing that we keep to ourselves.

Faith is not an abstract quality that can be validated by some spiritual test unrelated to life. God judges faith by the difference it makes in how a person actually lives.

A. M. Hunter is right in saying that “a man’s destiny on Judgment Day will depend not on whether he has known God’s will but on whether he has done it.”

Faith must be active, we must show it and live it too and around others.

Impartiality v11

This passage ends with the assertion that God shows no favorites.

Ethnic background or racial privilege will not deter God from blessing those who do good or from punishing those who do evil.

As Paul stated earlier in v6 God will reward each person on the basis of what that person has done.

What are we to take away from this passage?

Don’t Judge others for doing the same sins you are, or any other sins for that matter because all sin is the same.

Our faith in Christ must be active it is not something that is passive.

God will punish or reward all people the same because He shows no partiality.

Benedictions 011 Benediction

011 BENEDICTION

May he who builds his lofty palace in the heavens

And sets its foundation on the earth,

Who calls for the waters of the sea

And pours them out over the face of the land

Grant you an awareness of His love that you may be always joyful, praying continually and giving thanks in all circumstances

For this is the will of God for you.