Show the video “A Servant’s Heart.”
Did you find her annoying? I did. And often those we are trying to share the Gospel with find us annoying also, often because of our approach.
Last week I taught on Romans 1: 18-32. We discovered what an evil people the Romans had become. We may have left here feeling sorrow for the direction of our nation but feeling good about our personal relationship with Jesus. We could list of all the sinful actions and lifestyles we stand against.
But in Romans 2 Paul turns the mirror so the church could take a good look at itself. Let’s begin with Romans 2:1-3. You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?
Wait a minute. Is Paul saying that I am just as bad as these despicable people he described earlier? Yes he is. And when we sit in judgment over their sins we have elevated ourselves to a Godly status. We don’t deny their wickedness but we have no right to condemn them for that evil. Even Jesus said “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” (Matt 7:1-2)
Our next thought might be “But I don’t do these same things.”
Let’s look at verses 17-20 “You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
The Jews were considered the chosen people. God made a promise to Abraham that his descendents would be those chosen people. We also are a chosen people. Here is the way Peter stated it; “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, and God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
Like the Jews we are called to be a special ‘nation’ of people. So this criticism of the Jews applies to the church also.
We boast about our relationship with Jesus, of our assurance of salvation. We listen to a teaching every Sunday so we can know what is right and wrong. We are called to lead others out of the darkness, to open their blind eyes to God’s truth. We instruct those who know nothing of God about their sinful lifestyles and those who are ‘Christians’ but do not follow Jesus the way we do. We are certain that the knowledge we have received is absolutely accurate.
However Paul thinks different “Well then, if you teach others, why you don’t teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?” (Romans 2:21-22)
In today’s language he might be asking “Do you goof off at work, stealing your pay from your company?” “Do you allow your mind to embellish sinful thoughts?” “Have you ever received items or services that you know were not properly purchased?”
Jesus said that “If you are angry with anyone, you have committed murder. If you have looked at someone with lust in your heart you have committed adultery.” (Matt 5: 21, 28) Even though we are forgiven by the blood of Christ, we are still capable of sinning daily. We are not above sin.
Continuing with Paul’s commentary. “You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.” (Romans 2:23-24)
The word “Gentiles” refer to those who are not God’s chosen people. Today we call them the lost. Let me tell you about the lost. They know the Ten Commandments. They know that as a follower of Jesus that you are not suppose to steal, lie, use foul language, check out the ladies (or men). But when they hear you tell that little white lie that does no one any harm, you are immediately labeled “hypocrite”. And your chances of reaching them are greatly diminished. They may even reject God because of your actions or words.
We have a tendency to think that once we have received Jesus into our heart we can escape God’s wrath. But Paul paints a different scenario. “But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.” (Romans 2:5-10)
There is a judgment coming. Everyone will be judged by what they have done, the church first, and then the lost.
He will give eternal life to those who follow the teachings of Jesus and accept the immortality that the sacrifice of Jesus offers by accepting him as their Lord and Savior.
But He will pour out wrath on those who do not obey the truth and live lives of wickedness, the church first, and then the lost. Coming to church and hearing the truth does us no good if we do not apply it to our lives. Peter wrote “It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.” (2 Peter 2:21) God’s wrath will be poured out on those who have heard and rejected his commands because in doing so they have rejected Jesus.
However for those who have followed his teachings their will be glory, honor, and peace with God, the church first, and then the lost. We must understand that just as coming to church does not make you a Christian, not attending a church does not mean you are lost. The fellowship of believers is a comfort we enjoy but not a necessity of salvation. We must encourage others to join with us but not condemn them if they don’t.
And remember Romans 2:11 “For God does not show favoritism.” There is no way we can get God to love us more or less. God loves that lost person as much as He loves us. We can not earn his love nor diminish his love by our actions. Paul warns us “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are.” (Romans 12:3)
Paul addresses this subject a bit more in Romans 2:12-15. “When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.”
When those who are lost sin, they will be destroyed. They may not have read the Bible and the commands it contains. But they show by the way they live their lives, knowing it’s wrong to steal or kill, that the law is written on their hearts. Most people label this knowledge as their conscience. And it is this conscience that directs them as to what they are doing is right or wrong.
But the Jews, the chosen people, the church will be judged on God’s written Word. Knowing it and not applying it makes us equal with those who are lost.
And it is this equality that Paul points out in vs. 16 “And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.”
The lost will one day stand before the Great White Throne Judgment Seat of God. There will be two books, the Book of Deeds and The Book of Life. Those standing there will be judged on their deeds. After that judgment the Book of Life will be opened and if their name is not written in it, they will be cast into the lake of fire with death and the dominions of hell. (Revelation 20:11-15)
The Church will stand before Jesus at his judgment seat to receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done as a Christian. (2 Cor 5:10)
At both seats of judgment our secret lives will be exposed. The actions we think are going unnoticed by God will be revealed. This realization should be a constant reminder that our actions, both good and bad, have consequences.
As we finish I ask you “Do you have a sense of guilt?” “Are you thinking ‘God seems rather harsh toward his church.’?
Well, here is what Paul would ask you. “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4)
God has been kind to all of us, that’s called grace. He hasn’t given us what we deserve, that’s called mercy. Let’s go from this building today with a renewed commitment to Jesus and a more kind, tolerant, and patient heart toward the loss.
