BOOK OF ROMANS
Lesson No. 17 THE JUDGMENT OF GOD CHAPTER 2

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art thou judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. —Romans 2:1—

The Bible declares that God is just and the justifier of those that believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In His being just, He will also exact judgment to men who transgress His laws.

MESSAGE

A. The judgment of God is fair and impartial (vv.1 -16).

1. Unlike the way man judges (vv.1-3). Admittedly, we cannot judge fairly and impartially as the way God judges men. When we feel that we have the right to be angry at others’ sins, let us be careful and evaluate our own lives first. God knows our hearts and He knows who we really are. We can never boast

2. The goodness of God versus the hardness and impenitent heart (vv. 4-5). God’s eventual judgment is certain and no one will be able to escape his or her final encounter with God. However, His goodness and His enduring patience are always available to those who would like to repent from their sins and receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.

3. The controlling principle of God’s judgment (v.6). It is not our own merit that we get God’s favor and even His approval upon our lives. It is neither our skills, abilities, power, wealth, influence and achievements that could spell our worth before the Lord. It is always His own righteousness, mercy and grace. We can never be proud of ourselves and whatever we have achieved in this life. But the faithful life, work and service that we do for Him all have eternal value.

4. The judgment both of the saved [regenerate] and the unsaved [unregenerate] (vv.7-11). To the saved, it is eternal life (vv.7, 10); to the unsaved, it is indignation and wrath (vv.8-9).

5. The Jews in general will be judged according to the written law of God delivered through Moses (vv. 12-13). The Jewish people had been the recipient of God’s written law and so they will be accountable only to it and be judged by it.

6. The Gentiles in general will be judged according to their conscience— “the law written in their hearts” (vv.14-15). God’s law is written at the very heart of our consciences and so we know right from wrong. We can never escape the judgment of the just and righteous God unless we receive Jesus Christ by faith.

7. In reference to the White Throne Judgment where God will judge on the basis of their rejection of the Gospel—their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ (v.16 compare with Revelation 20:11-15). The Bible says those who rejected Christ and the new life He offers are already condemned. There is no more hope, no second chance.

B. The Jews and the Law (vv.17-20).

1. The privileges which became the basis of their pride and self-righteousness (vv. 17- 20). The Jews as God’s chosen people and nation:

1.1. “knowest His will”
1.2. “approve the things”
1.3. “instructed out of the law”
1.4. “art a guide”
1.5. “an instructor”

2. The teacher of the law and yet the breaker of it (vv.21-23). Our words should match our action—we should live what we preach otherwise, we are no better than those who do not know God and His Word. Hypocrisy should have no room in our lives as we daily live for the Lord and His Gospel.

3. Their inconsistency has caused the name of God to be blasphemed among the Gentiles (v.24). When our life is inconsistent with the what the Bible says, then we can cause great harm to God’s name and His honor. We can even put to shame our faith in Him and destroy the very work God has entrusted to us. Men do watch us and see if we really reflect God in our lives.

4. The circumcision has become uncircumcision (vv. 25-27). The circumcision rite which began with Abraham made the Jewish race a distinct nation from the rest. It is a distinctive character of the Jewish people and their testimony of [supposedly] being the people of God. It was a sign in the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 17:19-27).

5. In the New Covenant established by the Lord Jesus Christ, it is no longer the circumcision of the flesh but the circumcision of the heart brought about by faith in Christ Jesus and His atonement and repentance (vv.28-29). Apostle Paul made it clear that as believers, we should really lead pleasing and obedient lives. Our hearts must always be right before God, full of love and thanksgiving not just because of our salvation and eternal life but because we love Him and we want to obey Him and live for Him.

CONCLUSION

Today, it is not the law that gave us the privilege to be called the sons of God and the teachers of His Word— IT IS THE GRACE OF GOD. It is our joy to know that sin which is our curse was judged of God on the cross. In His eternal love, the Lord Jesus became that payment of sin by making Himself the supreme sacrifice on Calvary. Where is boastfulness then? None. But in the Gospel of God