Take that advantage

Feb 5, 2020

Romans 2:1-16 [NIV]

[1] You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 

[2] Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

[3] So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?

[4] Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

[5] But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

[6] God "will repay each person according to what they have done."

[7] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

[8] But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

[9] There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

[10] but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

[11] For God does not show favoritism.

[12] All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

[13] For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

[14] (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.

[15] They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

[16] This will take place on the day when God judges people's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

 

Questions

1) v1 - who is "you" in the verse?

2) v9, v10 - why he said "first for the Jew, then for the Gentile?"

3) v13 - It sounds like we get salvation only by following the law.

 

Answers

1) "You" could be anyone who judge the others, but according to the context, the Jews has the biggest possibility to be "You". The Jews were the people who always likes to judge others and had arrogance.

2) Because the Jews were the chosen people who had the grace and salvation first, so the judgment and the punishment has to be first to the Jews too. (Accountability and responsibility)

3) The Jews received the laws and not only they have it but they've learned and know it so well. And it was their pride. But the knowledge of the law doesn't help anything to be exception of the judgment. If you know the law, then you have to follow how it is saying. This verse is saying that everyone's same and fair in front of the law. It is not emphasizing that you get salvation by your actions (following the law) but it's saying we, human being, are all sinners in front of the law. And saying that that's why we need grace and mercy from Jesus Christ.

Enlightenment

The Israelites are the chosen people who got blessings and privileges a lot from God directly. But the thing is they always forget how much they have advantages but always complain to God.

One good example is the law. God gave me the good guidelines for them to follow God in a right way and keep a good relationship with God. But what they did was pointing out others' sins according to the law which has to be applied to themselves.

The Jews perished because of what they had done.

We have to take that advantage with what God has given to us, and we have to use it well.

 

Application

I've think about what I'd got from God as a gift, and what I've found was actually the time. Time is such a important thing, and I always share with people of the importance of time and its management, but I really couldn't manage it well. So what I want to apply is that plan tomorrow's schedule today. I believe it'll really help to plan ahead of the day.