Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Patient Continuance"Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
But because we have found Christ and become believers, God’s love for us should foster the same from us towards others, for as long as we are alive on Earth, we are as susceptible to sin as anyone.
As always, to read this chapter here shows how important it is, just as the Holy Spirit moves the Apostle Matthew to dedicate all of his Chapter 7 to it. Its inclusion in two Books of the Bible reveals its true importance. Both Apostles are moved by the Holy Spirit to write on this topic, and it underscores the will of the Father for His children.
Repetition in the Bible always gives us insight into the will, the mind and heart of God. As today’s teaching follows Romans 1, it becomes clear that there are issues in Rome that are identical to those in Jerusalem, so Gentiles and Jews alike are both guilty.
Love draws people in, while condemnation drives people away, and all need salvation. Humans identify levels of sin, God does not. To our God, all sin is an abomination, every sin is unacceptable. He wants His message of loving one another to be of primary importance in his message to the lost, or those susceptible to temptation and to the saved that are still susceptible to Satan’s temptations. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all.
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
In Romans 1:18-32 the apostle Paul paints a striking picture of evil, debauched men and women. They've abandoned God and God abandons them to the consequences of their own sin.
However, at the end of Romans 1 a very important question remains unanswered: what about good people? What about those who aren't murderers, liars, thieves, fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals? Where do the people fit who haven't abandoned all sense of right and wrong?
We learn that good is never good enough! The gospel is for everyone without exception. If the good news of God’s saving righteousness in Jesus Christ is for everyone, then the bad news that all stand under condemnation apart from God’s righteousness is also for everyone.
In this world are people who do not appear to be idolatrous or sinful--they may even identify with the true religion. In Paul's day they were the Jews. In our day they are professing Christians who want to uphold the moral standards of Scripture. But those who are not true believers are unable to maintain an external moral value system because they cannot restrain their own sinfulness. In essence they cover their darkened hearts with cloaks of light.
In Romans 2 Paul exposes the moralist. The moralist agrees with Paul's condemnation of the idolaters in chapter 1 because he sees himself as better and therefore uncondemned. But that produces a false sense of security. In Romans 3:19 Paul says, "We know that whatever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." A person understands the Christian gospel only when he understands he is guilty before God--whether immoral (chapter 1) or moral (chapter 2), whether Gentile (chapter 1) or Jew (chapter 2).
As we begin our study of Romans 2, we need to focus on this thought: mankind does not accept God’s assessment of human sin and the imperative of divine judgment. This is not to say that men will not admit they are sinners. It is very easy to get a non-Christian to agree that he is a sinner (“nobody’s perfect”), but it is almost impossible to get him to realize the gravity of his sin. Typically, he has no trouble agreeing that those who are guilty of “big sins” like murder and rape and treason deserve judgment—even death. However, that God’s wrath should fall on those guilty of such “lesser sins” as envy or arrogance does not seem quite right to them.
Most people do not take God’s word about sin and judgment seriously, but rather reject it and replace it with their own ad hominem reasoning... “Nobody’s perfect!” “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Such thinking suggests that since we are human, we are under some moral obligation to sin, and that God is under moral obligation to forgive us. "Everyone is doing it; it is not so bad—as long as we do not commit the “biggies” we will be okay"—is the assumption that God does not mean what he says. The eternal fact is, God means what he says and says what he means.
God's judgment, despite moralisms to the contrary, is perfect. That is what Romans 2:1–16 is all about. As we come to understand (or reaffirm our understanding) of the perfection of God’s judgment, we will bring health to our souls. For those of us who are believers, this will drive us toward a greater authenticity in life—and thus spiritual power. For the non-Christian, there will be strong encouragement to face fundamental issues about oneself and God.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Goodness (2:4) - “The goodness of God” simply refers to His kindness. Also known as "common grace," or the undeserved goodness of God toward sinners.
Forbearance (2:4) - a patient holding back, or a delay of punishment/judgment. In this verse, it represents a suspense of wrath which must eventually be exercised unless the sinner accepts God's conditions.
Longsuffering (2:4) - The duration for which God demonstrates His goodness and forbearance - long periods of time.
Repentance (2:4) - The act of turning from sin to Christ for forgiveness and salvation.
Love draws people in, while condemnation drives people away, and all need salvation. Humans identify levels of sin, God does not. To our God, all sin is an abomination, every sin is unacceptable. He wants His message of loving one another to be of primary importance in his message to the lost, or those susceptible to temptation and to the saved that are still susceptible to Satan’s temptations. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all.
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Romans 2:1-16 - "Patient Continuance"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
However, at the end of Romans 1 a very important question remains unanswered: what about good people? What about those who aren't murderers, liars, thieves, fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals? Where do the people fit who haven't abandoned all sense of right and wrong?
We learn that good is never good enough! The gospel is for everyone without exception. If the good news of God’s saving righteousness in Jesus Christ is for everyone, then the bad news that all stand under condemnation apart from God’s righteousness is also for everyone.
In this world are people who do not appear to be idolatrous or sinful--they may even identify with the true religion. In Paul's day they were the Jews. In our day they are professing Christians who want to uphold the moral standards of Scripture. But those who are not true believers are unable to maintain an external moral value system because they cannot restrain their own sinfulness. In essence they cover their darkened hearts with cloaks of light.
In Romans 2 Paul exposes the moralist. The moralist agrees with Paul's condemnation of the idolaters in chapter 1 because he sees himself as better and therefore uncondemned. But that produces a false sense of security. In Romans 3:19 Paul says, "We know that whatever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." A person understands the Christian gospel only when he understands he is guilty before God--whether immoral (chapter 1) or moral (chapter 2), whether Gentile (chapter 1) or Jew (chapter 2).
As we begin our study of Romans 2, we need to focus on this thought: mankind does not accept God’s assessment of human sin and the imperative of divine judgment. This is not to say that men will not admit they are sinners. It is very easy to get a non-Christian to agree that he is a sinner (“nobody’s perfect”), but it is almost impossible to get him to realize the gravity of his sin. Typically, he has no trouble agreeing that those who are guilty of “big sins” like murder and rape and treason deserve judgment—even death. However, that God’s wrath should fall on those guilty of such “lesser sins” as envy or arrogance does not seem quite right to them.
Most people do not take God’s word about sin and judgment seriously, but rather reject it and replace it with their own ad hominem reasoning... “Nobody’s perfect!” “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Such thinking suggests that since we are human, we are under some moral obligation to sin, and that God is under moral obligation to forgive us. "Everyone is doing it; it is not so bad—as long as we do not commit the “biggies” we will be okay"—is the assumption that God does not mean what he says. The eternal fact is, God means what he says and says what he means.
God's judgment, despite moralisms to the contrary, is perfect. That is what Romans 2:1–16 is all about. As we come to understand (or reaffirm our understanding) of the perfection of God’s judgment, we will bring health to our souls. For those of us who are believers, this will drive us toward a greater authenticity in life—and thus spiritual power. For the non-Christian, there will be strong encouragement to face fundamental issues about oneself and God.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Inexcusable (2:1) - Without excuse. Both Jews and moral Gentiles who think they are exempt from God's judgment because they have not indulged in the immoral excesses described in chapter 1, are tragically mistaken. They have more knowledge than the immoral pagan (3:2; 9:4) and thus a greater accountability (cf. Hebrews 10:26-29; James 3:1).
Condemn Yourself (2:1) - Whoever has sufficient knowledge to judge others condemns himself because he has the knowledge to evaluate his own condition and doesn't. Overlooking their own sins they become self-righteous. Romans 3:10, "There is none righteous, no not one."
Despise (2:4) - Literally, to think down on someone or something.
Condemn Yourself (2:1) - Whoever has sufficient knowledge to judge others condemns himself because he has the knowledge to evaluate his own condition and doesn't. Overlooking their own sins they become self-righteous. Romans 3:10, "There is none righteous, no not one."
Despise (2:4) - Literally, to think down on someone or something.
Forbearance (2:4) - a patient holding back, or a delay of punishment/judgment. In this verse, it represents a suspense of wrath which must eventually be exercised unless the sinner accepts God's conditions.
Longsuffering (2:4) - The duration for which God demonstrates His goodness and forbearance - long periods of time.
Repentance (2:4) - The act of turning from sin to Christ for forgiveness and salvation.
Hardness (2:5) - A hardening of the heart. Here the danger is not physical but spiritual.
(See: Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 19:8; Mark 3:5; 6:52; 8:17; John 12:40; Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7).
Impenitent Heart - A refusal to repent and accept God's pardon of sin through Jesus Christ.
Impenitent Heart - A refusal to repent and accept God's pardon of sin through Jesus Christ.
Treasuring Up...Wrath (2:5) - Those who reject God's offer of forgiveness and cling to sin accumulate more of God's wrath and will earn a more severe judgment.
Day of Wrath/Judgment (2:5) - The final judgment of wicked men that comes at the Great White Throne at the end of the Millennium.
Day of Wrath/Judgment (2:5) - The final judgment of wicked men that comes at the Great White Throne at the end of the Millennium.
In verses 6-10, Paul describes the deeds of two distinct groups: the redeemed (verses 7,10) and the unredeemed (verses 8, 9). Although Scripture everywhere teaches that salvation is NOT on the basis of works, it consistently teaches that God's judgment is always on the basis of a person's deeds (Isaiah 3:10, 11; Jeremiah 17:10; John 5:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7-9). The deeds of the redeemed are not the basis of their salvation, but the evidence of it. They are not perfect and are prone to sin, but there is undeniable evidence of righteousness in their lives.
Eternal Life (2:7) - Not just in duration, but also in quality. Eternal life is a kind of life, the holy life of the eternal God given to believers.
The Jew First (2:9) - The Jews, as God's chosen people, were given the first opportunity to hear the gospel, and Paul always sought to apply this principle. By the same token, they were to receive the first and most sever judgment, because of the greater light they had received (Luke 12:47, 48) when they rejected the gospel.
Respect of Persons (2:11) - no partiality, or preference given to someone simply because of his position, wealth, influence, popularity, or appearance. God's nature is to be just; it is impossible for Him to be anything but impartial.
Without Law (2:12) - The Gentiles who never had the opportunity to know God's moral law (Exodus 20:1) will be judged on their disobedience in relationship to their limited knowledge.
Judged by the Law (2:12) - The Jews, and many Gentiles who had access to God's moral law will be accountable for their greater knowledge (Matthew 11:20-23; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31).
Respect of Persons (2:11) - no partiality, or preference given to someone simply because of his position, wealth, influence, popularity, or appearance. God's nature is to be just; it is impossible for Him to be anything but impartial.
Without Law (2:12) - The Gentiles who never had the opportunity to know God's moral law (Exodus 20:1) will be judged on their disobedience in relationship to their limited knowledge.
Judged by the Law (2:12) - The Jews, and many Gentiles who had access to God's moral law will be accountable for their greater knowledge (Matthew 11:20-23; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31).
By Nature (2:14) - Without knowing the written Law of God, people in pagan society generally value and attempt to practice its most basic tenets. This is normal for cultures instinctively value justice, honesty, compassion, and goodness toward others, reflecting the divine law written in the heart.
Law to Themselves (2:14) - Practice of some good deeds and their aversion to some evil ones demonstrate an innate knowledge of God's Law.
Conscience (2:15) - Literally, "with knowledge." That instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated. God has designed us with an internal warning system that activates whenever we choose to ignore or disobeys His law. Repeatedly ignoring the warnings of the conscience desensitizes it and eventually silences it (1 Timothy 4:2).
Law to Themselves (2:14) - Practice of some good deeds and their aversion to some evil ones demonstrate an innate knowledge of God's Law.
Conscience (2:15) - Literally, "with knowledge." That instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated. God has designed us with an internal warning system that activates whenever we choose to ignore or disobeys His law. Repeatedly ignoring the warnings of the conscience desensitizes it and eventually silences it (1 Timothy 4:2).