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The False Security of Many

Romans 2:17-24

Here in our passage today, the apostle Paul brings to Jew’s to the forefront of the conversation in his letter.  The rest of this chapter is going to be aimed at the Jews and help them to see that they are under sin to.  Why does Paul stay so long on the subject of sin? “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?  You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.  For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:17-24) Paul stays so long on the subject of sin because the Jews have a sin problem to.  He lets them know that just because they have the word of God written out for them and are instructed out of it they are not able to obey it perfectly either.  They have a false security if they are resting on their heritage of being a Jew, having the written word being instructed out of it.  This is not what saves a person!  This is the problem today we have to many people who are resting on the fact ht    Paul wants the Jew to know that they have a sin problem that they cannot fix as well.  The same could be said for someone who really had God fearing parents or grandparents, went to the same church, went through the baptismal waters but didn’t have a change of heart concerning their sin.  In fact it is ok to point out other people’s sin but not your own.  This is how sin deceives us.  You probably have heard this: do as I say not as I do.  The person instructed know that you really believe it is ok to do what you told them not to do because your actions tell them that is what you really believe.  If you teach a child not to steal, and then you steal what have you taught the child? That it is alright to steal.  The reason why revival tarries is because we want other people to repent of their sin.  Why do you need salvation if you don’t have a sin problem?

God doesn't force repentance!

We have learned that God’s judgment is according to truth, that he will render to each person according to their deeds and that he shows no partiality. Will God let a person into heaven even though he has never put his faith in Jesus Christ?  Let’s read:  “For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 2:12-16)  In this passage the word law is the Mosaic Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy) given to Israel through Moses.  Today the complete book of instructions is called the Holy Bible.  God’s instructions are always to be followed by faith.  These people did not follow God’s instruction and so they died.  All those who have received the Law and stilled sinned will be judged by the law.  God has allowed two groups of people to coexist at the same time- those who would hear and those who have not heard the Law of God.  Those who have been told the gospel, given a Bible have a decision to make-will I submit and obey or rebel. Every person’s heart knows the difference between right and wrong. Mankind was created in the image of God with a conscience.  Our conscience either accuses or excuses our decisions. No human being is able to keep the whole law of God perfectly.  This is why a works based salvation will not save a person. God will judge each person’s secrets.  He will not allow sin into heaven.  Here’s the gospel: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!  Jesus being completely God and completely human lived a perfect life and he laid down his life having died on the cross for our sins. He did what no human alone could do-live a perfect life fulfilling the law of God.  If you place your faith in him and submit to him you will be saved. You ask what about those who have never heard? That is why we give, go and tell so they will hear the good news.  This we know God is Truth. He judges according to the truth, according to the light they were given, and without partiality.   He will judge you according to your response to Jesus’ offer of salvation. This is why it is very important for you to respond to the Lord's offer of salvation and not delay.

God's two judgments

God’s two judgments

We have learned that God judges a person in the light of truth and that his kindness is designed to lead us to repentance. Let’s read these verses and learn about God’s judgment.

“But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. He will repay each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness; affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. There is no favoritism with God.” (Romans 2:5-11)

God will accept no excuse for our sin.  The Scripture teaches us that God’s judgment is righteous and that he shows no favoritism.  God warns us to change our ways in his word.  God will judge each person in the light of His word.  The Bible is his instruction given for all people to follow.  We cannot plea ignorance of the Law.  Why? Because God’s law is written on every heart no matter your religious beliefs.  Because of this even the person who has never read the Bible will have no excuse.  God will judge them in righteousness.  God will repay each person according to his works on judgment day.  We each are responsible for the judgment we receive.  There are two basic judgments mentioned: eternal life and the receiving of God wrath.  Eternal life is spending eternity in the presence of God.  Eternal life begins when a person is born again in Jesus Christ.  Jesus told the Jews “My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them from My hand.” John 10:27-28 To receive eternal life a person must respond in submission to Jesus Christ as Lord for salvation.  At that moment they are baptized (placed) into the body of Christ, having died to sin and self-control taking on the identity of Christ. At that moment the Holy Spirit comes into that person’s heart and begins a work that they will live out.  The Apostle Paul wrote the Galatians this: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)  I would like to invite you to First Baptist Church or one of the other local churches where Jesus is being taught so that you can grow in your faith.