So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Romans 2:3 (NIV)I think apologetics get a lot of fuel from this passage. In the first few verses, Paul is dealing with those who judge others while committing the same offenses. Yesterday, we saw the other extreme of cheering on those who commit the same sin as a means of approving of sin.
But what are the results? There are not any white or black lies in God's definitive judgment.
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:9-11 (NIV)God doesn't show favorites. His standards for living are set. Do Christians face troubles and distress? Yes and no. Yes in the fact that troubles come. No in the fact that with distress comes peace. Glory and honor are reserved for those who walk in the Way exemplified by Christ.
Let me go back to verse four though:
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:4 (NIV)If any one passage was written to the church, this one was. Can you imagine intentionally showing contempt for the "riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience"? God holds everyone to the same standards and especially those who know His will and His way. The lack of excuse comes to an apex here.
I have personally dealt with judging others while committing sin in my own life. There have been numerous times I have not preached or taught on certain subjects just because I was struggling in those areas. I in good faith could not have dealt with others if I had not first dealt with my own sin. Yet, in openness and transparency, I should have been more readily prepared to deal with these issues in my life. A faith journey is never a solo act. Pride held me back from letting others know my own struggles (and probably still does from time to time) and from letting them help me.
I have also taught on subjects without revealing my own struggles. I held others to standards that I myself was not willing to uphold. It shames me to realize this. By doing these acts of selfishness, I was guilty of holding God's kindness in contempt! My ministry, personal life, and my picture of myself all suffered greatly. I felt depressed and separated.
Yet, God tolerated my actions (He didn't approve of them!). Why? His kindness and patience surrounded me to give me the time needed to be restored to His will. His kindness was constantly acting within my life journey to draw me back to Him. He works diligently to bring moments of reflection and times of repentance in my life just like He does for you. His goal is to keep me from continual sin because sin demands my death while His love demands my life.
How often do we in the church preach against divorce, pre-marital sex, cheating, lying, hatred, and on and on while watching Christians engage in these sinful practices everyday? Paul was trying to get the Romans to realize their own need for spiritual revival.
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. Romans 2:7 (NIV)Our passion for God should be summed up in one word - persistence. Persistence is not about gaining glory from others or for seeking the approval of others. That is why many are chained to habits of sin. Persistence is about doing good for God's glory and for His honor. The reward is eternal life. When we do persistent good, we are left without regrets.
Our good does not earn us brownie points but it does show our desire to honor God. Salvation comes to those who in faith believe in the resurrected Christ. But what about those indigenous tribes and peoples groups who never get to hear of Christ? Paul uses this teaching moment to address these people.
The answer is complicated and simple. Simple in that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. God withholds His judgement from no one. Complicated in that all people have an inward conscience standard that recognizes a difference between good and evil. Some groups choose to remain lost in the wilderness, but that doesn't leave them without excuses. They know a standard of right and wrong.
All people are capable of doing good. Given the clues in nature that shout the glory of a Great Creator and given the knowledge each person has through their conscience to ascertain right and wrong, every person has a starting point to discover the one true God. I am sure that our God would reveal Himself to the most remote of peoples if they would just begin to seek Him. Look at the dream of Paul in the book of Acts - called in a dream to Macedonia. God is very active in His Creation, never doubt His passion for it.
- How would you rate your persistence for God?
- Have you ever been guilty of holding God's kindness in contempt? How have you dealt with it?
- How long do you think God's tolerance will last if we do not repent?
- How does your passion for God measure in your propensity for doing good?
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