Romans
Chapter 2
Memory
verses for this week: Prov
24:6 For by wise
counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors
there is safety.
Introduction:
Last week, we finished up chapter one as we found that God is
very upset by man’s sin. Because
of sin, we face the wrath of God unless we come to Christ for
forgiveness and salvation.
The chapter ended showing how far man has fallen from his
original sinless state. Some
are so inclined to sin that they have seared the conscience as it
were with a hot iron. All men and women will one day face the judgement of
God. The saved at the Judgement Seat of Christ to determine our rewards, the
lost at the Great White Throne Judgment where the lost will be
separated from God forever.
I.
No
Man Will Escape the Judgment of God
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art
that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest
thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Rom 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to
truth against them which commit such things.
Man has always been quick to judge others.
Those that Paul was writing this letter to there in Rome were
guilty of judging others.
He warns them that by being judgmental, they were effectively
condemning themselves. The
old saying goes “When you point a finger at someone else, always
remember that you have your thumb and three fingers pointing back at
yourself.” Wise
counsel is to examine ourselves and let God do the judging of
others.
James
4:11 Speak not evil one
of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and
judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law:
but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a
judge.
James
4:12 There is one
lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that
judgest another?
Rom
14:10 But why dost thou
judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for
we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Rom
14:11 For it is
written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and
every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom
14:12 So then every one
of us shall give account of himself to God.
Rom
14:13 Let us not
therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no
man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's
way.
Mat
7:1 Judge not, that ye
be not judged.
Mat
7:2 For with what
judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Mat
7:3 And why beholdest
thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the
beam that is in thine own eye?
Mat
7:4 Or how wilt thou
say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and,
behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Mat
7:5 Thou hypocrite,
first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou
see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
God wakes it clear that we should be far more concerned about
our own spiritual condition than to be worrying about the sin that
might be in our brother or sister.
God’s judgment is not like man’s, but is according to
truth. Christ came in
Paul’s time period to be the Savior of Men.
But when He returns this next time, it will be as the
Righteous Judge. Fair
and impartial judgment will come when Christ returns to take the
Throne of David. There
are some things that God has passed judgment on already.
One of them is the condemnation of man due to his sin.
Sin brings forth death, but sin is not what causes us to be
condemned into Hell. That
is due to rejecting Christ as our Lord and Savior.
God gave up His only begotten Son to come and live a sinless
life and to lay down His life for us on Calvary.
When we reject that perfect gift, we do not have to wait to
see if we are condemned. In
John chapter 3, it says we are condemned already.
John
3:18 He that believeth
on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
Rom 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do
such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment
of God?
Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee
to repentance?
The bible mentions many sins that dishonor God such as
adultery, murder, stealing, etc.
Some that judge man for doing these things are guilty of the
same offenses. In verse
3, God warns man that those that do those things and point a finger
at others will not escape God’s righteous judgment.
When we are rigid and hard and unforgiving, and all we see is
the sin in others, you can be assured that the judgment you face
will be difficult one day.
Mat
7:2 For with what
judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you again.
God is a merciful and longsuffering Heavenly Father, and
today He does not bring immediate judgment on us like Adam faced in
the garden of Eden.
Gen
2:16 And the LORD God
commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest
freely eat:
Gen
2:17 But of the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the
day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, we know
that they died a spiritual death on that day. They lost their full and perfect fellowship with
God, and they ran and hid themselves because they were fearful of
God. Never had they ran
or feared God in this manner. But
when they ate of the forbidden fruit, they separated themselves from
God. And the only
way we can come back to God is through the blood of Jesus Christ.
God is a wonderful Creator, and He wants all men to come unto
Him. Christ’s
death on Calvary was sufficient to pay the sin debt of all mankind,
but only a few ever come to Christ.
2 Pet
3:9 The Lord is not
slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance.
In verse 4, Paul was trying to make the Romans understand
that the goodness and delay that they experienced was intended to
lead them to repentance. God
works in some strange and mysterious ways.
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up
unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the
righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
When we go on in our ingratitude for what God has done for us
and do not repent, we heap upon ourselves more wrath and greater
charges that will be brought against us at the day we stand before
God. Every man will be
judged according to our works.
What we have done wrong will be brought up, as well as the
things we failed to do that God would have liked for us to do.
When we walk in total fellowship with the Lord, He guides our
every step and we do those things pleasing in His sight.
When we walk according to the flesh, I’m afraid that the
important things get left out many times.
2 Cor
5:10 For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may
receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.
Rev
20:11 And I saw a great
white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and
the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev
20:12 And I saw the
dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:
and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead
were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works.
We see the two different judgments mentioned in these verses.
The Christian, the saved individual, will stand before Christ
to determine what rewards we will receive.
This is not to determine whether we enter Heaven or not.
That is decided in this life based upon whether we have ever
accepted Jesus as our Personal Lord and Savior.
The lost people will have to stand before the Great White
Throne Judgment to be cast into Hell for rejecting the Lord Jesus
Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
Mat
12:31 Wherefore I say
unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto
men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven
unto men.
Mat
12:32 And whosoever
speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him:
but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be
forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
When we blaspheme the Holy Ghost, there is no hope for us.
In other words, when we hear the Gospel, God’s Holy Spirit
draws and convicts us, and we still refuse to repent and to come to
God in faith, we have no hope.
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for
glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Only the saved person will continue in well doing.
If we turn over a new leaf, we may do good for a season, but
then we return to our old ways. The person who is born again is born unto good works which
are ordained of God. Our
bodies become the temples of the Holy Ghost, and we are not our own,
but we are bought with a price.
If you are lost, the work that God would have you to do is to
believe on the name of Jesus Christ.
John
6:28 Then said they
unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
John
6:29 Jesus answered and
said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom
he hath sent.
You
remember the story of the rich young ruler over in Mark.
He wanted so much to do something to be saved.
He came claiming total righteousness, but Jesus made him go
away sorrowing because he had broken the very first commandment to
love God first and foremost. He
loved his money more than God.
Everything that we have truly is owned by God, and if He has
need of it, we should willingly give it to His service.
Mark
10:17 And when he was
gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him,
and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life?
Mark
10:18 And Jesus said
unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that
is, God.
Mark
10:19 Thou knowest the
commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do
not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Mark
10:20 And he answered
and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Mark
10:21 Then Jesus
beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest:
go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and
follow me.
Mark
10:22 And he was sad at
that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the
truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth
evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Paul warns the Romans that everyone who disobeys the truth,
whether Jew or Gentile, that they wrath of God will come upon them.
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good,
to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
The only good works that will stand the test of God are those
done in Christ. Works
outside of Christ are of no avail.
We are told how that in that day that our works will be
tried, so as by fire. The
good things we have done in God’s work, done God’s way, will be
the silver, gold, and precious stones.
The wood, hay and stubble speak of works done in the power of
the flesh. All will be
burned up. But to prove
salvation is a free gift, the verses go on to say that even if
everything we ever did was burned up, we would still be saved, so as
by fire.
1 Cor
3:11 For other
foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Cor
3:12 Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
stubble;
1 Cor
3:13 Every man's work
shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it
shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work
of what sort it is.
1 Cor
3:14 If any man's work
abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Cor
3:15 If any man's work
shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be
saved; yet so as by fire.
God is not like man who shows partiality between one another.
God is no respecter of persons.
If we want to come to God, we will come via His son Jesus
Christ. Just like Paul
desired, we that make it to heaven will stand in the imputed
righteousness of Christ.
Our works are as filthy rags before God.
But Jesus was the perfect atonement for our sin, and God has
accepted His blood payment for our sins.
The gentile who is without the law will perish if he reject
Jesus as his savior. The
same for the Jew who has the law but still does not come to Christ
for salvation. As we
read earlier, all are condemned already because they have not
believed in the name of Jesus Christ.
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish
without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged
by the law;
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the
doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature
the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a
law unto themselves:
Verse 13 tells us that it is the doer of the law who shall be
justified. Just
hearing the truth does not make us a child of God.
But the man or woman who hears the Gospel, turns to Christ
with all his heart, will
be saved. And because of what Jesus has done for us, we will work
because of what God has done for us.
James
1:23 For if any be a
hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding
his natural face in a glass:
James
1:24 For he beholdeth
himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner
of man he was.
James
1:25 But whoso looketh
into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being
not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed.
Rom 2:15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their
conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while
accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus
Christ according to my gospel.
One day, all the secrets of men will be judged according to
Paul’s gospel. We
may can fool man with an outward show, but God is never fooled.
He knows us for what we truly are.
John
2:24 But Jesus did not
commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
John
2:25 And needed not
that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
II.
Special Privileges of the Jews
Rom 2:17
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and
makest thy boast of God,
Rom 2:18
And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more
excellent, being instructed out of the law;
Being
God’s chosen nation was a wonderful blessing, and Israel did have
some special privileges.
They were the people of God.
Amos 3:2
You only have I known of all the families of the earth:
therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
This
is interesting in comparison to where we stand in God’s family
today.
Eph 2:11
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in
the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the
Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from
the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of
promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are
made nigh by the blood of Christ.
When
we are given special privileges, that increases our
responsibilities. The
Jews were to know God’s Will and to prove things that were better.
This was to be done by study of the law and Old Testament
scriptures.
Rom 2:19
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind,
a light of them which are in darkness,
Rom 2:20
An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast
the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
The
Jews were to be guides to the blind, but unfortunately, most of them
were blind themselves. They
did not see Jesus as the Messiah sent from God.
They were to teach and instruct from the scriptures, but to
do this, one must know the word of God.
Heb 5:11
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered,
seeing ye are dull of hearing.
Heb 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need
that one teach you again which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat.
Heb 5:13
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern
both good and evil.
Rom 2:21
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not
thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou
steal?
Rom 2:22
Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou
commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit
sacrilege?
Rom 2:23
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the
law dishonourest thou God?
These
verses warn us that we should practice what we preach.
Nothing comes over more vain than to tell others to live
Godly lives, and then we turn and live immorally.
We should be men and women of integrity, speaking and acting
consistently day to day.
Rom 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through
you, as it is written.
Rom 2:25
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but
if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made
uncircumcision.
Rom 2:26
Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the
law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Rom 2:27
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil
the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost
transgress the law?
Because
of the breaking of the laws, it gave the gentiles reason to
blaspheme. When people
do things in God’s name and glorify self, this is not honoring to
our Heavenly Savior. Our
perfect example is Jesus Christ.
He came humbly, not making a name for Himself, but doing
everything for the honor and glory of God.
And He did it without sin.
Rom 2:28
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that
circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is
that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose
praise is not of men, but of God.
Circumcision
was only profitable if they kept the law.
It has no value at all in regards to salvation.
It as a sign of the seal of righteousness of faith.
As it was with circumcision, our faith and teachings are of
little influence if we do not prove them by our works.
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show
me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my
works.
Rom 4:9
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or
upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to
Abraham for righteousness.
Gal 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ
Jesus.
Gal 3:29
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.
Phil 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit,
and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
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Prov 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
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