Romans 2:1-16
Principles of God’s judgment day
Paul here mentions judgment day. The justice of God is based on the lights revealed to men of every generation. Paul talks that the Judgment is certain, Judgment is the last act of God on the universe, and it will be a righteous act. Hence, no one could escape.
2:1-6 Judgement is certain
Paul starts this session with two words “No excuse and No Escape” (Romans 2:1,3). Judgment is surer. There will be judgment for all whether they are evildoers or right doers. Evildoers are attracted towards wrath, fury and tribulation, and Distress (2:5,9). Right doers are awarded wrath eternal life, glory, honor, and peace (2:10). It is proved that Jews and Gentiles are under the same sin (3:9). Jews and gentiles are on the same platform of judgment. Paul further writes on Jews are guilty of what sin. It is shameful for a person to misuse the love and forgiveness of God to keep sinning. Judgment is based on each person’s activities and deeds. Paul warns everyone not to pass on judgment on others. Because whatever judgment passes on others with which you will be judged. We must be careful before we point out our fingers on others because of the same mistake we will be doing by ourselves.
2:7-15 Judgement is the last act
Judgment will be recompensing, rewarding, and rendering justice. Pharisees thought the Gentiles are fuel for the fires of hell. The righteous first seek for glory, honor, immortality, there is holy ambition, and looking and aiming as high as heaven. He has resolved to take up with nothing short of it. And seeking implies loss of desire to retrieve its pursuits and endeavors consonant. Paul talks about three kinds of lights to the world. Gentiles had the light of nature. Jews had the light of the Law of Moses and the present generation had the light of the Gospel of Christ. So, the Judgment of God will be according to the light revealed to each generation and each person. The challenge is to be faithful to the light shown to us. Follow the light which goes before us. We need not worry about the light of Law but the light of the Gospel.
2:16 Judgement is a Righteous act
The judgment of God is a righteous act. The judgment will be based on the attitude and characteristics of the men. The judgment is purely based on the thoughts of the hearts and not according to outward appearance. According to the works of the inner heart and not as per the outward personalities. All are accountable to God for what we do and render to others. Paul was very clear in understanding and explaining on the Judgement Day. Whether the Jews who possessed the Mosaic Law or the Gentile who had the natural law written on their conscience need to be faithful to the light that came to them. All are expected to be made after the divine image of God. No one could escape and no one could give an excuse on that Day of Judgment. The judgment day will bring out everything to the open to all.
Discussion:
1. Do you believe in the Judgment of God and how you value your daily counts?
2. Are you faithful to the light revealed to you?
3. How do you prepare others for the Judgment of God?
(For my studies in Romans, please refer to this website)
