Understand Christianity

Introduction: If you remember the sermon from last week, you probably are looking forward to getting on to the positive message instead of the negative presentation.  For your encouragement let me say that we will get there in a few weeks, but for now we need to consider the development of the Apostle Paul in showing why God’s judgment on humanity is justified.  It is necessary for Paul to dwell on the negative because humans usually have a higher opinion of themselves than is warranted.  

When we are accused of something, we habitually try to excuse our bad behavior.  (Ill)   

We say we are better than that.  But the Apostle Paul will take away all excuses in the development of his argument!  Let’s see how good you really are.  No matter what standard you use, you always fall short.  Let’s begin with the ten (10) commandments.  5. Honor father and mother – always?  Never?  6. Murder – hateful words?  7. Adultery – look to lust?  8. Stolen – even a little; income tax; office?  9. Lie – never?  10. Covet – anything?  Golden Rule

So, how did you do?  

We live according to laws or principles: physical universe; social government; etc.  So it should not surprise us that God has His own laws and principles by which He judges His creation.  

Please note that in the immediate context Paul is speaking to the Jews.  In our previous study the Jew would thoroughly agree with the condemnation Paul lays out for the pagans he described in chapter one.  Little did he (the Jew) realize that with his condemnation of the pagans he was condemning himself.  His privileged position for being a Jew and having God’s law did not benefit him when it came to meeting God’s standard.  

In the verses we consider for today we need to see that God’s judgment is according to Truthfulness, Impartiality, and according to Jesus Christ.  

1. Judgment of sin is placed on the sinner, unless it is borne by the Savior.  2:1 says that those who judge are not excused.  Did you ever criticize another?  Your own conscience tells you it is wrong.  

κρίνων vs  κατακρίνεις Krino = selection, choice vs Katakrino = condemn.

2. Note that the first chapter speaks in the third person “they” while the second chapter is more personal “you.”  Keep in mind that   these are principles of judgment for those who do not know Christ.  However, they do have some application for us.  

3. They will be judged by God’s standard, NOT a human standard.  That means even the good moral philosopher falls short: Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Seneca.  They can’t approach God on human terms.  

4. The goodness of God is intended to lead one to repentance.

(Ill.) God took longer to destroy Jericho than He did in creating the world.  Now consider the three (3) great words used in verse 4 : goodness (kindness), forbearance (tolerance), and longsuffering (patience).   These attributes of God’s common grace are available to everyone – the Jew, the moralist, and the pagan.  They are intended to lead these to repentance.  

a. Goodness (kindness): Look at the by-products of Christianity which everyone observes whether they believe or not.  Hospitals, homes for the aged, education, lifting women to a place or honor in society, as opposed to groups like Islam.  

b. Forbearance (tolerance): In classical Greek this word is used “to hold back or delaying.  It is as if God with one hand raises the threat of judgment over the head of the unbeliever, and yet with the other hand holds back the judgment that is rightfully deserved.  (Ill.) destruction of Jericho 

c. Longsuffering (patience): this word is a close synonym to forbearance, but emphasizes God’s slowness in avenging wrong.  

5. Then verse 5 asks the sinner to consider the alternative to failing to despise the goodness and patience of God.  So, how will you respond to God’s goodness?  

1. In order to read this section correctly one needs to see that there are two groups in view.  Verses 6, 7, and 10 describle the true Christian.  Verses 8, 9 describe the non-Christian.  Two different destinies and two different works.  God’s judgment is being stored up for the unrepentant (v. 5) and God’s judgment is according to works because your works will reveal which group you belong to – eternal life or God’s wrath.  

2. While I believe the text is clear, some still ask the question at this point – “Is God’s salvation by works?”  Let me say clearly that God’s salvation is not by works, but is all by grace to all who believe.  

ESV  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

ESV  Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 

ESV  Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 

ESV  Romans 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

 ESV  Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 ESV  Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Your good works show a regenerate heart, but conversely evil works show an unregenerate heart.  Verse seven (7) shows a regenerate heart. Verses 8-9 show an unregenerate heart.  But verse 10 shows a regenerate heart.  

3.  I believe that since there are degrees of reward for good works for the believer, there are degrees of punishment for the unbeliever. 

ESV  2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 

ESV  Psalm 62:12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work. 

 ESV  Proverbs 24:12 If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 

ESV  Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

ESV  Hosea 12:2 The LORD has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him according to his deeds. 

ESV  Colossians 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

ESV  1 Peter 1:17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 

i4. Verse 11 says there is no partiality with God.  The focus of this passage is on the fact of God’s judgment, not on the details of who will be judged when.  However, I believe that the judgment of Israel is at Christ’s second Advent. (Ezek. 20:32-38).  The judgment of Gentiles is at Christ’s second Advent.  (Matt. 25:31-46).  The Great White Throne judgment is mentioned in Revelation 20:11-15). 

1. In this last section for today it is perhaps clearer if we consider verses 14 and 15 as a parenthesis and read verse 13 and then skip to verse 16.  In other words the Jew would be judged as one who had known the law and the Gentile as one who had a God-given conscience.  God judges according to what a person knows and has a chance to know.  

2. There is a universal moral code known as conscience which is part of human nature.  That conscience may be good (Acts 23:1; 1 Tim. 5, 19); or clear (Acts 24:16; 1 Tim. 3:9).  However, the conscience may also be guilty (Heb. 10:22); or corrupted (Titus 1:15); or weak (1 Cor. 8:7, 10, 12); or seared (1 Tim. 4:2).  Everyone needs to trust Christ so that the conscience may be cleansed with the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:14).  

3. In the end Jesus will judge the secrets of human hearts.  All judgment is placed in Christ’s hand (Mt. 7:21-23; 25:31-33; Jn. 5:22; 

2 Cor. 5:10).  Nothing will be concealed from Him (Heb. 4:12-13).  

4. Humans are confronted with a choice.  No one on his own can be declared righteous by his own.  The only remedy is to cast oneself on the mercy and grace of God.