Wednesday, 21 August 2024

Romans part 18 - Did God really mean it?

Tweet

Romans 2:1-3 Therefore you are without excuse, O man - every one of you who is judging. For by whatever you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things. We know that God's judgment on those who practice such things is based on truth. But you, O man - judging those practicing such things yet doing the same - do you suppose that you will escape the judgment of God?

Today we start our study of Romans, chapter 2, by changing gears from where we left off in chapter 1. Chapter 1 ends with numerous warnings against various forms of sin. Chapter 2 begins with warnings against judging those sinners. There is a connection, but there is also a definite distinction between them.

The word "judge" or its derivatives appears six times in these 3 verses. It is too bad we have to use the English word "judgment." It's so easily confused with other concepts like discernment and condemnation. In Hebrew, a courthouse is call a Beit Din, meaning "house of judgment."

What happens in a courthouse? The proceedings could be divided into three main categories. There is the presentation of evidence, called a trial. Then at the conclusion of the trial, a verdict is handed down. Following the verdict, a judge pronounces a sentence. God alone is our judge. These scriptures point out clearly that we are not the judge (who brings condemnation). We can, however; point out sin (present evidence).

The Holy Spirit alone reserves the right to bring conviction. Many of our troubles come when we try to do more than the Lord assigns to us. There is a section of Scripture that does an excellent job of breaking this down. Yeshua is speaking of the advantages we have today, now that He has ascended on high.

John 8:7-11 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away! For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; concerning righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

Paul starts Romans 2 where we ended last time. John 8:7 When they kept asking Him, [Yeshua] stood up and said, "The sinless one among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." There were no stones thrown that day. Paul says, We are "without excuse ... every one of you who is judging." This is true because our judgment of others brings condemnation upon ourselves. Let us avoid that snare, yet keep our eyes on Yeshua and His example.