Today's lesson comes from Romans 2: 1-16. If you review chapter 1 of Romans, you will see that Paul reveals the degenerating sinful condition of those who have rejected the truth of God. A Jew, who had the written revelation, would find it easy to condemn the Gentiles in their sinful state who did not have the Law of God. The lesson starts off with a general application, "O man," regarding those who would pass judgment on others. It is not until verse nine that Paul directs his comments towards the self-righteous Jew.
Since we are all born with a sinful nature, we easily fall into acts of sin. All have sinned and it is only by the grace of God that we are freed from guilt, and delivered from sin's power. Since salvation is by grace, there is no room for one to feel superior to others, nor be judgmental toward the lost. We should be discerning, "by their fruits ye shall know them," but we are not to be judgmental, passing sentence on others. Our duty is to proclaim or herald the truth of the Gospel message, but we are not to do so in a smug or condescending manner.
In the second section of the lesson we see that people are either obeying the truth and persevering, or they are contending with God and disobeying. Both groups will receive their just reward, for God will not show partiality to anyone.
In the last section, Paul shows that even the heathen will be justly condemned, for they have turned from the natural revelation. They have rejected the light which they did have. All men are accountble to God, their Creator.
The first section is "All Have Sinned." vv. 1-4 God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance. Romans 3:23 states: "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of the glory of God." In these verses 1-4, Paul does not want the Jews to have religious pride. The Jews looked down on the Gentiles. Since the Jews were "children of Abraham," they felt superior to others, and loved upon the Gentiles as sinners. However, in passing judgment on the sins of others, they were also condemning themselves, for they were guilty of the "same things." At some point, those that practice secretly what they condemn openly, will be exposed for what they really are when they face the judgment of God.
Our God is a merciful God, and manifests extreme kindness to those who have gone astray. This does not mean that God overlooks our sins. "We must not be deceived into smug self-complacency because God's judgment is restrained by His forbearance and goodness." God's forbearance was not a testimony to their innocence, but a call for their repentance. Remember, a sinning religion is not acceptable. And, how we judge others will be how we are judged. We need to be humble and contrite before others. It is not our place to be the judge of the world. Instead, our duty is to proclaim or herald the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to remember that we were all sinners before the grace of God saved us.
The second section is "All Face God's Judgment." vv. 5-11 When the "impenitent heart" rejects the light of God and the goodness of God, the result causes the heart to become hardened, and the hardness increases as the soul continues to sin. That rebellious soul will one day face his record, and receive his due reward. We are saved by faith, but rewarded for our works. Jesus told the churches in Revelation 2and 3, "I know thy works." Our works may live long after our bodies do. Verses 7 and 8 depict a contrast. Verse 7 tells us that those who are doing good works will persevere in well doing. In verse 8, we see that those who do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will yield themselves to inquiry and become servants of sin. Verses 9 and 10 show the contrasts of man's final end. Tribulation and anguish for those that do evil and glory and honor to those that do good good works. While we are not saved by works, those that are saved, will do good works. Both Jews and Gentiles will face God's judgment. God is no respecter of persons and will look upon the heart and treat people just as they deserve. Punishment will be proportional to the mercy abused. Every person has a choice to be a servant of truth or slave of unrighteousness.
The third section is "All Are Accountable." vv. 12-16 Paul reemphasizes the fact that all men have sinned against God. Some have sinned without the law, and others with the law. We are responsible for the light (what God has shown them) which they have. Men who do not have the written Word, are responsible for God's revelation of truth through creation and the formation of the human personality. Man was created a moral being with a sense of right and wrong. Even heathen cultures condemn the grosser sins of humanity. All men possess a sense of justice, honor, love, public peace, etc. A person's conscience should bear witness to certain types of behavior. No one is without excuse.
It is not enough to know the law of God. But, because of the depravity of the human heart, men enter into sin, and stand condemned before God. No person can be justified by their works or obedience because of the universal nature of sin. Everyone is guilty before God. There are no excuses. A sinning religion is not acceptable. There will be a reckoning day in which wrongs are righted, evil men are punished, and righteous men at last rewarded. The question is, which one will you be on that final day. Will you be one with saving faith that produced good fruit, or one that sowed to the flesh and died in your sins?
The Golden Text is: "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." (1 Peter 1:17) "God's judgment will be according to a man's work, and a man's work or conduct will be according to the moral state of his mind. No favoritism can prevail in the day of judgment; nothing will pass there but holiness of heart and life. A righteousness imputed, and not possessed and practiced, will not avail where God judges according to every man's work. It would be well if those sinners and spurious believers who fancy themselves safe and complete in the righteousness of Christ, while impure and unholy in themselves, would think of this testimony of the apostle." (Adam Clarke)
My summary points:
1. Every person has sinned and is in need of a Saviour.
2. Everyone alive, everyone you see, will face God's judgment one day.
3. There will be no excuses. So we must take action now for ourselves and for those God brings into our paths. It is holiness or hell.
Next week, "Justification by Faith." Romans 3: 19-31
Don't forget to read your Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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