Tag: without excuse
No partiality from God!
Scripture reading for June 16: Romans 2
“For God shows no partiality. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my Gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Romans 2:11-16
In our sin-limited world view, we believe everyone is operating in some form of bias. People have different backgrounds and their upbringing, education, and experiences in life cause them to have certain biases. But when we examine God, Creator of all, we find that He is totally impartial. His knowledge is perfect about each person and situation. He is the One Just Judge, able to call perfect balls and strikes and bring justice for each person. According to Scripture, God has set a ‘Day’ when all men will be judged by God. This ‘Day’ will reveal all secrets of each person as they are judged for their actions and heart attitudes and held responsible for the Truth that had been revealed to them either through God’s Law or conscience.
Paul explained to the Romans how God will impartially judge each person. The Jews had God’s Law and were given instructions, not suggestions, about their conduct towards God and towards men. These would be judged by the Law. Gentiles, all others not Jewish, have God’s Law written on their hearts and the inner voice of God through conscience brings conviction of sin or affirmation of doing right. All people are without an excuse and God can and will judge each person based on the light that they have been given of revealed ‘Truth’. The ‘Good News’ of Jesus Christ is God’s plan to save each person from their own guilt through repentance and faith.
What areas of bias are you aware of in your own life or culture that you feel are unfair? Have you though about the total impartiality of God and one day having to give an account before Him? From Scripture, what is the only plea before God that will spare us from judgment?
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful for Your gift of forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Savior. I know that without grace, I would be found guilty of breaking Your Law and of violating my conscience. Use me to share the Truth of Your plan to help all escape judgment. Amen.
God shows no favorites!
Scripture reading for July 14th: Romans 2:1-23
So all men are without excuse. All have been given a basic knowledge of God’s power and nature through the creation we live in. When we look at others and judge them, we must realize that we are no different ourselves. We have not responded to truth as we should either. It is only the kindness and goodness of God that has led us to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 2:4)
In this section, Paul is making the case that God shows no partiality. Jew and Gentile alike must come to Him by faith for their righteousness. No one can work their way into God’s grace! God has given the Jew His law, and they will be judged by their failure to keep that law. God wrote the law on the hearts of the Gentiles and their consciences help them to know right and wrong behavior. (Romans 2:12-15) Indeed, God will judge all men and their secrets through His Son Jesus Christ on a day He has chosen! (Romans 2:16) (Acts 17:31)
For those who would not repent, their own stubbornness and unrepentant hearts were storing up wrath for them on the day of God’s wrath. (Romans 2:6) God will judge evil deeds and those who reject the truth. Jews will be judged as well as Gentiles. Jews, in fact, were more responsible because of God’s law. They should have know clearly what God required because it was clearly spelled out in God’s law. Yet, knowing and obeying are different! It is easy to judge others and still be disobedient yourself. Paul encouraged the Jew to recognize their own need of grace and repentance to avoid the wrath of God! (Romans 2:21-23)
As we look at this passage, we should examine our own hearts. Do we judge others while remaining in sin ourselves? Today is a good day to repent and ask God for mercy! Do we claim to be righteous because we are Christians, yet live in a state of breaking God’s laws? These laws are now written on our hearts and we have the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and godly sorrow enabling repentance! God will not and does not show favorites! God has an appointed day of judgment when all secrets will come to light! He won’t show any favorites!