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Not Judgmental but Thankful.
Romans chapter 2
Memory Verse.
Romans 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that
worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
In the first lesson we discovered that Paul was warning the
Churches of what was out there in the world and was cautioning
them to be careful. In this lesson he is telling them not to
compare ourselves to others around us, but rather to judge
ourselves against God, and see the sinners that we really are.
Vs. 1-3
In these 3 verses Paul is telling them not to judge themselves
against others because they do the same or similar things and
they find no wrong in them. He was telling them is not to be
hypocrites, by doing one thing then turning around and judging
others that do the same thing. They are all wrong and God will be
the ultimate Judge.
The definition of a Hypocrite is “to act a part as on a
stage”. It would be terribly wrong of us to tell others not
to steal then turn around and steal a new car. What would our
testimony be, what are we telling others about God? Like the
saying goes you have to talk the talk and walk the walk.
Vs. 4-6
The Christians at Rome were getting upset because they thought
that they deserved better than what they had. God is the one who
is to judge who is to get what and when and how they are to be
rewarded.
Vs. 7-10
If you just do good and seek for eternal life you are doing
yourself no good the only way you get eternal life is by
salvation. Trying to be as good or better than most of the people
you know doesn’t make you righteous before God. Following a
religious ritual or joining a church doesn’t bring
salvation.
Vs.11
It does not matter who you are or what you have done by the means
of works. Being a “good” person by the standards of the
world will not bring you any closer to heaven.
Vs.12
No matter what your sin the law will convict you, whether you
know the law or not you are still convicted under that sin.
Vs.13-15
Romans 3:23 tells us that we are all guilty of failing to live by
God’s law. No one can keep the whole law and when we fail in
one point of law we have broken the whole law.
Vs. 16
God is omniscient. He knows everything. He knows the motive
behind all of our actions. He knows the thoughts and intents of
our hearts. God will judge us, our motivation as well as our
actions, according to his gospel.
Vs 17
The Jewish Christians knew the law and rested in that fact and
they boasted it. Having memorized the main points of the law they
claimed to be superior failing to recognize that knowing didn’t
equal doing.
Vs 18-19
The Jews knew what He (God) wanted, and approved the excellent
things because they knew the law and they were so confident in
the law that they could lead them through the darkness of the
world. A seeing-eye dog is trained to lead the blind around
keeping them from dangers. The seeing-eye dog goes everywhere
with their owner but even though the dog goes with the human the
seeing-eye dog is still a dog. All the training (knowledge) doesn’t
change the dog.
Vs.20-22
Knowing the Old Testament history and law they were teachers that
knew their teaching material, but Paul then points his fingers at
them calling them hypocrites because they like many today didn’t
live what they taught. (Psalms 94:8)
Vs 23
They were breaking the laws that they were given but at the same
time they were teaching the same laws. They were not honoring God
in the way that they were living. Because of their hypocrisy, the
name of God was being blasphemed, they were denying who God
really was, and ruining their testimonies.
Vs 25-28
If circumcision were to be of any profit to a man, he would have
to keep the whole law. Remember, Romans 3:23 says that we can’t
keep the law, so circumcision is just an outward symbol of
obedience for the Jew. Likewise, baptism is for a Christian today
the first act of obedience God asks us to do after salvation.
Vs 29
Salvation is inward, its in the heart and the spirit of a Christian, therefore
we should not be hypocrites but we should live for the honor and glory of
God.
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