If Not For the Grace of God There Go I! Romans 2

 God’s Righteous Judgment

2 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?

Paul is pointing out that when you judge someone else, you obviously believe in a standard of right and wrong.  But it also depends on what standard you use, how you determined it, and do you apply it evenly.  Oftentimes we are very strict as we apply the law to others, but loosen the standards for ourselves.  

As we judge another person, we point to a standard outside of our self – and that standard condemns everyone, not only the obvious sinner. “Since you know the justice of God, as evidenced by the fact that you are judging others, you are without an excuse, because in the very act of judging you have condemned yourself.” (Murray)

At the heart of a judgmental person is someone who has not realized God's grace for themselves.  People who are hard on others, are usually very hard on themselves.  When someone realizes God's patience and mercy, the last thing they should be is a judgmental.  The height of selfishness is an attitude of, "I deserve God's grace but not you!"  And indeed it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance.  Judging and being critical of someone never leads to a change of behavior, which the bible calls "repentance".  When we are patient and merciful with others, it shows them God's own love for them.  God's grace comes to people through our love and acceptance of them "warts and all".  

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.”[a] 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.

The scary thing for the moralist is that as they are judging others, they are storing up their own judgment. This will be on the day when God judges the thoughts, attitudes and actions of all people equally and non-discriminately.  When Paul says, "To those who persist in doing good seek glory, honor and immorality, he will give eternal life", some might think Paul is preaching salvation by works.  If you take the passage literally you might come to that conclusion, but this is why it is so important to interpret the bible in its context.  Paul's is using "hyperbole" here, overstating something to make a point. 

"If someone genuinely did good at all times, he could merit eternal life of his own accord – but there is none, because all, in some way or another are, have been, or will be self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness."(Guzik)

The Jewish people, who had been given the Law, thought they were morally superior to those "dirty Gentiles".  But, Paul points out that there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, they all fall short of God's standard of righteousness, which is perfection.  To be righteous means to do the right thing every time.  Since neither a Jew or Gentiles does this, we are all equally guilty under God's Law.  Though the Jews were God's chosen people and given the Law, it did not make them morally superior.  The Law merely pointed out their sinfulness paving the way for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Would you consider yourself a judgmental person or patient and merciful?  How can understanding God's mercy and patience with you help you to be less judgmental than others?  If you have a tendency to be judgmental, might God be revealing something to you about your own heart condition?  

There are only two types of people in this world. Those who realize they are a sinner and need God's mercy.  Or, those who spend time judging others by a standard they cannot keep.   I love the saying, "If not for the grace of God there go I!"