Romans 2:1-3

Passage

Therefore you are without excuse, oh man – all the ones who judge.  For in such time as you pass judgment upon the other you condemn yourself.  For the one who judges carries out the same things.  And we have known that the judgment of God is according to the truth upon the ones who do such things.  Do you think, o man – the one who judges the ones who do these things and who does the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul lays down the truth rather bluntly in the beginning of this passage.  However, before we arrive at truth, let’s specifically talk context.  As Paul speaks in these verses, he is writing into the context of the Jews.  Paul is trying to make the point that many of his Jewish contemporaries saw the Gentiles practicing the things with which he ended the last chapter.  Such Jews looked down upon the Gentiles and considered themselves better than the pagan Gentiles.  In this context we see what Paul is really trying to get us to understand.  It is wrong to look upon others and believe that we are better than they are.  After all, all have sinned.  Last time I checked, you and I are a part of the “all.”

When do you look at others and think that you are better than they are?  What does such a line of thinking do within you?  Why is this dangerous?

Second Thought:

The second point that Paul is trying to bring out is that we should not think that we will escape God’s judgment.  We will all stand before Him and be held accountable for our actions and our choices.  God isn’t going to give our sinfulness a pass just because “He loves us more” or “we’re a special people.”  God’s righteousness demands that all sin will be accounted.  Of course, that being said, we do have the hope that through the blood of Jesus Christ our sin is forgiven.  But just because it is forgiven does not mean that we will be held accountable all the same.  After all, all have sinned.

How does it make you feel to think about the day you will stand before God and be held accountable for your sin?  How does it make you feel to know that Christ’s blood covers a multitude of sin – even yours?  What response is evoked by this thought?

Third Thought:

There is one extra-textual thing of which we need to be careful when we read this passage.  Many modern people read these words and tell us that Paul is saying that we have no right to speak to other people about their sin.  In fact, some people read these words as tell us that Paul is saying that we have no right to “judge” anything and therefore all people and all acts are okay.  That is not at all what Paul is saying.  In fact, it is exactly the opposite of what Paul is saying!  Paul is not opening the noose and casting it off of the neck of humanity.  Rather, Paul is drawing the noose tighter and telling us that we are all caught!  We don’t have the right to tell others whether they are saved or not.  But we absolutely do have the calling to declare sin and call people into repentance just as we need others to call us into repentance.

When is it easy to judge?  When can it be difficult to judge?  Why is it important to call people into repentance even though we ourselves are just as sinful?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 2:4-5