Romans 2:1-5

                                                             Romans 2:1-5

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. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 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? 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? 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.

We are all skilled at judging the bad behavior of others.  We can detect pride in the lives of the people around us.  It is common for us to speak poorly of others.  By doing these and many other similar things, we demonstrate our knowledge of the truth and ability to tell the difference between what is right and wrong.  Our ability to make these moral judgments is a testimony against us as we stand before God.  Paul describes the argument used to condemn the moralist.

 

OUR JUDGING REVEALS GOD’S CONDEMNATION: When we judge others, we show that we know the difference between right and wrong and have an understanding of God’s requirements.  This demonstration of moral judgment is a witness that stands against us and condemns us before God.  We cannot claim ignorance as an excuse because we demonstrate that we are far from being ignorant when we judge.  While it is advisable to avoid judging others, we will be well served to simply practice what we know to be right and avoid doing that which is wrong.

 

OUR REPENTANCE REVEALS GOD’S KINDNESS: Repentance is a grace of God bestowed upon us.  When we insist on continuing sinful practices, we are ignoring God’s goodness and kindness to us.  The Spirit of God works in the hearts of men to bring them to a knowledge of sin and to convict them of their own guilt.  When we sense the Spirit’s work in our hearts it is vital that we respond by turning from our sin to the obedience in which He is leading us.  Any intervention on the part of God that prevents sin is a kindness.

 

OUR IMPENITENCE REVEALS GOD’S WRATH: When mankind insists on living in willful sin by ignoring their own conscience and ignoring His kindness as revealed in the cross of Christ and the work of the Spirit, God’s wrath is kindled.  Sin is an offense to God and an afront to His holiness.  His justice requires that the rebellion of men result in death.  He graciously paid the price of sin by Christ’s death on the cross.  This amazing sacrifice and demonstration of love makes His wrath on those who reject that astounding gift even more just.  We must respond to God’s grace with repentance and faith.

 

APPLICATION: Anytime we dislike the attitudes or actions of others make sure to double check that we are not doing the same thing.  Quickly respond to the promptings of the Spirit in repentance.  Warn others of God’s coming wrath.

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