Romans 2:6-11

Passage

He will give recompense to each according to his works.  On one hand, eternal life is for the ones who seek according to an enduring patience in good works, glory, honor, and immortality.  But on the other hand, wrath and fury are for the ones who disobey the truth out of selfish ambition while obeying unrighteousness.  Persecution and distress are upon every soul of mankind that does evil – first the Jew and then the Greek.  But glory and honor and peace are for all the ones who do good – first to the Jew and then to the Greek.  For there is no partiality from God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Eternal life is for those who are patient in doing good works.  Eternal life is for those who seek God in glory and honor.  Eternal life is for those who treasure being immortal with and through God.  Eternal life is for those who are able to put their own agenda and desire on the back burner and truly adopt the life that God would have them lead.  Eternal life is for those who are willing to submit to God, not simply revere him with their lips an hour or so a week.

Do you submit to God?  Are you patient in doing good works out of your salvation by grace?  Do you seek what God desires you to seek?

Second Thought:

Paul makes no issue speaking about the fact that persecution and distress will be upon those who are disobedient to God and who follow their own selfish ambition.  I think this speaks to two people in the world.  First, these verses speak to those who proclaim “universal salvation” – that is, the belief that God will save all people.  From Paul’s perspective, this just isn’t the case.  There will be some who receive eternal life and others who receive persecution and distress.  Second, I believe it speaks to those who try to put on a spiritual façade while truly being about their own desires and agenda.  Many people try to live their life and squeeze God in wherever it happens to be convenient.  This is not good, either.  God does not want us following our own selfish ambition.  God wants us humbling ourselves to Him and following Him all the time.

What selfish ambitions do you have for yourself?  What areas do you have a hard time being obedient to God?

Third Thought:

The last sentence of this section really summarizes Paul’s point well.  Regardless of your genealogy, there is no partiality from God.  God will judge us based upon who we are and what we have done with the time that he gave to us, not by our lineage.  For the record, the same is true about Christians.  It honestly doesn’t matter how often you come to church or read the Bible cover to cover.  If you aren't practicing your faith and instead are following your own selfish ambition, God will know and judge accordingly. On the other hand, if you are genuinely seeking God and following Him, then He will know that and forgive your trespasses regardless of your genealogy or status in life, too!

Do you think that it is righteous of God to judge each person individually?  Do you think that many human beings put on a façade while thinking that they can fool God?  Why do people put on a façade rather than actually doing something about their relationship with God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 2:12-16