The passage that we studied this week (Romans 1:18-32) is generally agreed to be addressing God’s wrath towards the sins of non-Christian Gentiles. The passage that we’ll be looking into today is likely addressing Christ-following Jews. One way or another, it’s clear that Paul is now speaking to a group of people who believe themselves morally superior to the non-Christians.
Hmm, sound familiar? I wonder what group of people today struggles with a sense of moral superiority. That’s right: the Church. You and me. Paul writes
Therefore, you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
Romans 2:1
It’s easy, as followers of Jesus, to grow lukewarm in our faith. Before we know it, we’re condemning everyone for their sins without ever addressing the sins that we commit—sometimes even practicing the same sins for which we condemn others! God will have none of that. A stern warning is given to us:
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.
Romans 2:3-5
Our response to God’s kindness must be a heart of repentance, the acknowledgment that without His divine help we walk the path to eternal misery (Luke 18:9-14). Our interactions with non-Christians must therefore be characterized by humility toward God.
Here’s a practical rule: when addressing the sin of others, you and I do not set the standard. God’s Word sets the standard. Therefore, we are also judged by God’s Word. Yet, it is also God’s Word that proclaims the gospel to us. Gospel-righteousness is put over us when we accept the good news of Jesus by faith, and it is this gospel-righteousness that not only confirms our salvation, but also guarantees our sanctification. In other words, we can expect to produce good fruit as Christians in our walk with God because of our union with Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
Therefore, let us not be hypocritical judges, but let us grow in our sanctification that we may proclaim the gospel to others in humility and encourage one another in purity. “God shows no partiality,” writes Paul. We are in as much need of Jesus Christ as everyone else.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- In what areas have you tended to be judgmental, forgetting that we are not morally superior to non-Christians?
- How do the practices of faith return us to the child-like humility of love and grace?
- How can this practice lead you towards compassion?
Church Reading Plan
- Today, Feb 23: Job 23; 1 Corinthians 10
- Saturday, Feb 24: Job 24; 1 Corinthians 11
- Sunday, Feb 25: Job 25-26; 1 Corinthians 12