We're Accountable For What We Know Series

1. When we were studying the book of James, we learned that it is sinful for us to show partiality.

Proverbs 28:21 (NKJV) 21 To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

It’s true, partiality has been used to divide & destroy for years.

• It definitely wasn’t the life that Jesus lived.

• Jesus loved & taught & reached out to everyone.

• To rich… & poor. The well… & sick. The humble… & prideful.

THINK of how many sick people came to Jesus with eyes oozing, limping, groaning, reaching out…

• Some w/ their hands missing fingers from the ravages of leprosy.

• Some unbelieving, uncaring, hopeless and hurtful.

• There was one woman who was sick for 7 years, outside of society, unclean…

• There was another woman who was thrust down before Jesus, caught in the act of adultery.

• Then there was Zacheus, up in a tree. That’s an interesting place to meet Jesus. I’m coming to your house tonight.

• (Jesus invites Himself over to dinner, very Scriptural I think!)

YES, Jesus met people all over the place in all sorts of conditions from all sorts of backgrounds… Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans.

• He met religious leaders, military folks, rich, poor, you name it.

• Basically, Jesus hung around with everybody.

Now… Paul says in 2:11, the judgment of God is without partiality.

• That is, everyone, will be judged righteously & fairly.

• Back to v2, God’s judgment is according to truth!

• There will not be anyone anywhere that will be able to accuse God of judging unfairly.

John 5:30 (NKJV) 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

The word PARTIALITY in v11 gives us the picture of ‘not being swayed by a person’s face.’

• That is, our position in life, our intelligence, our education, our good works and good deeds will not sway God’s judgment.

• No, all of us will face the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD.

This phrase would have shocked the Jewish listener in Rome.

• He thought himself in a special class, that he deserved special treatment because he was chosen of God.

• But Paul says that the Jewish Law only made the guilt of Israel that much greater.

NOTE: Paul is speaking of the righteous judgment of God that will be based upon our deeds, our works. (look back at vv6-11)

• But wait a minute, aren’t we justified by faith?

• Didn’t Paul say, the just shall live by faith? YES & YES

• We are saved by grace through faith…

• But judgment is according to works!

If you’re an UNBELIEVER, you’ll be judged by your works.

• They won’t measure up to God’s holy standard and the work that will be the final straw is your rejection of Jesus Christ.

• Flip over to John 3:16-21

If you’re a BELIEVER, you’ll be judged by the work of Jesus on the cross. It is sufficient to save us and by faith you’re saved!

2. (12-16) God judges according to truth.

a. God never judges person by a standard they haven’t known.

b. If a person lived apart from the Law, then God will not use the Law as a standard.

c. But if you have known it, then that will be your standard.

d. REALLY Whatever we know will be the standard uses!

APP: This is important for us because we will be held accountable for what we DO KNOW not for what we DON’T KNOW.

Here’s the danger we all face:

• Because we love the Scriptures… and we study the Scriptures… and we spend much time in the Scriptures…

• We love the Word, it’s powerful, it’s comforting, it’s wonderful!

• But the danger is this: We begin to think that hearing the Word automatically implies that we’re doing & obeying the Word!

Well I was in Bible study today… but did you obey what you heard?

Well I had great devotions this morning… but did you do what God spoke to your heart?

Well I went to church… but what did God say right to your heart and how will you respond!

AND so whether it’s in your devotional time, or in a Bible study, or whenever you have the Word flowing…

• Ask the Lord to give you ONE THING to do… not just to write it down or think about it, but to put into action.

Psalm 40:8 (NKJV) 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

Here’s what happens when God’s word is not mixed with faith… we may know the Lord, and know about our Lord…