Romans 2 - The Bad News Makes the Good News Even Better!

Romans 2 - NIV 

Enduring Word Commentary

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.

Paul's letter to the Romans has definite rhyme and reason to it. In chapters 1 -3, Paul is laying the groundwork for the chapters thereafter. Paul's focus in this chapter is that everyone is guilty as judged by the Law. Therefore, when the day of judgment comes all men and women are guilty. He makes it clear this is true for both the Jew and the Gentile, so that all people are without excuse.

For the Jew, who has been given the Law through Moses, will be judged by it. Not even circumcision will save the Jew. As Paul will say later, God is looking for not an outward circumcision but a circumcision of the heart. For the Gentiles, they know the difference between right and wrong through their conscience. Paul declares, "The law is written on their hearts". Therefore, no one is without excuse. This also makes it so clear that we never have a right to judge anyone else's salvation. As we judge someone else, we judge ourselves. Usually the most judgmental people fail to look in the mirror. 

There is a verse in this passage that could be seen as problematic if not taken in context. This is the verse which is challenging, 

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.

I found these commentaries helpful. 

If taken completely out of context, this verse might make it sound like Paul is teaching "salvation by good works." However, the overarching theme of Romans (often called the "Bad News" of Romans 1–3) is actually the exact opposite. - Redeemed Christian Church of God

By proving that everyone—religious or not—violates their own standards and sins, Paul establishes the necessity of his main message: that humanity cannot earn righteousness through their deeds, but must be saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. McCleary Community Church

Again, this chapter and the next will set up the rest of the letter to the Romans. It will set the stage by probably the most important doctrine of our Christian church. 

We are justified by faith not works lest any person should boast! - Ephesians 2:8-9

Do you have a tendency to judge other people? How does this passage show why this is so wrong? 

Have you come to terms with the fact that you could never "justify" yourself, and that before a holy and just God you are guilty and without excuse? 

Fortuntely the Good News is though we are all equallty guilty before a holy God, God is patient and slow to anger not anyone to perish but all to come to eternal life. Fortunately the bad news is not the end of the story. The bad news is what makes the good news so sweet our ears, and why we sing, "Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound That Saved a Wretch Like ME!"

If you have not yet come to faith in Jesus Christ, I would urge you to do so. It is not complicated. All you need to do is to admit that you are a sinner, turn from trusting in your own good works and put your trust in Jesus Christ! 

"For to all who believe he gave them the right to become sons (and daughters) of God, born not of human decision but born of God." John 1:12

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in Your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:3

"For God so loved the world so that all who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal lfie." John 3:16

Heavenly Father, we all come before you as sinners deserving your judgment. But we thank you that you were slow to anger and aboudning in steadfast so that we might be reconciled to you through Your Son, Jesus. Amen. 

For someone who has not yet trusted in salvation you can say this prayer. I would love to know if you said this prayer and speak with you.

Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner by what I have done and by what I have I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart, or my neighbors as myself. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me of my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness! I love you Jesus and I put my faith in you from now on! Amen. 


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