January 3, 2014

PAUL GOES FROM PREACHING TO MEDDLING

Romans 2:1–16

Julie Hildebrand
Friday's Devo

January 3, 2014

Friday's Devo

January 3, 2014

Central Truth

It is so much easier to see the speck in someone else's eye than the log in my own.

Key Verse | Romans 2:3

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? (Romans 2:3)

Romans 2:1–16

God's Righteous Judgment

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.

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 1 2:8 Or contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

God's Judgment and the Law

12 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. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 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. 15 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 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Footnotes

[1] 2:8 Or contentious

Dive Deeper | Romans 2:1–16

As Paul addresses his Jewish readers in Romans 1, he discusses at length the sinful fools who were given over to their degrading passions. Paul talks about them and the sins they commit, as in "those people over there." I'm sure those moral Jews were nodding their heads in agreement: "Yes, look at them! Those Gentiles are depraved in their sinful ways!" I'm sure a few people shouted, "Amen," "Hallelujah," and 'Preach it, brother!"

Ah, but then we get to Romans 2. Same letter, same audience, and all of a sudden, it's not about "those people over there." Paul switches the pronoun to "you," as in the Jews to whom he addressed the letter. I'm guessing the nodding heads became still as Paul said, "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." (Romans 2:1, emphasis added)

What happened? Paul was still discussing sin, but the move from "them" and "their sins" to "you" and "your sins" makes all the difference in the world. It does to me, too. I could condemn these Jews for their self-righteousness, but I would only be proving Paul's point as I, too, judge people for the same behavior I am committing.

Ray Prichard captures the point as he writes:

You lose your temper; I have righteous anger.
You're a jerk; I'm having a bad day.
You have a critical spirit; I bluntly tell the truth.
You gossip; I share prayer requests.
You curse and swear; I let off steam.
You're pushy; I'm intensely goal-oriented.
You're greedy; I'm simply taking care of business.
You're a hypochondriac; but I'm really sick.
You stink; I merely have an "earthy aroma."

Lord, let the aroma of my life be Your Son, Jesus. Please forgive me for judging others while I do the same things, and please make me aware of my judgmental tendencies. For all have sinned and none of us are righteous.

Discussion Questions

1. How easy it is to cover up my own failures by criticizing others?

2. Have I ruminated on the kindness of God and His patience with me?

3. Am I more concerned with morality or my relationship with Jesus?