Left With No Excuse - Romans 2-3:8

In the previous chapter, Paul had spoken about the wrath of God against sinful mankind (some say Gentiles). God’s wrath will be poured out against the wickedness of all mankind. Paul mentioned that although they had knowledge of God, they did not respect Him or His statutes. As a result, God has turned man over to their own indecent and sinful self. Just as these are without excuse, so is the one who knows better, mainly the Israelites. The Jew especially should know God and follow His teachings and ways, because of their understanding. Make no mistake, judgment is to come Grace for the righteous and God’s Wrath against the unrighteous.

I. Quick Draw Judgment –

We are all guilty of being judgmental of others. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7:5

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

A Moralist is one who says they adhere to a system of moral standards. It can also be one who pressures others to meet their particular set of standards. The later seemed to be the audience Paul was referring to – meaning those who would say something like:

“Until you meet our set of standards, you cannot be righteous (as we are – implied!”

Paul wrote “you who pass judgment on others do the same things” (meaning the above in chapter 2).

Vs. 3 How can we expect to not be punished when we are guilty as everyone is of sinfulness and corruption?

We cannot assume by Theological conjecture God is only compassionate and will not punish His own as He would the wicked. Remember, to God, disobedience and sinfulness He hates and punishes equally. “God gives us space to repent, not to make excuses and keep on sinning.” (John Stott - Romans, pg. 82)

Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Vs. 4 – God’s kindness and Mercy is designed for one to acknowledge it and come to repentance. It is not for one to take advantage of others because they feel some kind of privilege.

Vs. 5-8 – If we maintain a stubborn and unrepentant heart – referring to both Jew and Gentile, man can expect God’s wrath. Sin is always dealt with by God. Either a person comes to God with a repentant heart, or rejects God and experiences His wrath poured out on him.

Vs. 6 – Each person will be judged according to what he/she has done! What does that mean?

Salvation is not of works it is God’s gift so we cannot boast and say see how I achieved it!

However, if we have true faith, works will be a natural bi-product of our faith. We cannot help but share what God has done for us to free us from the bondage of sin and its consequences.

Eph. 2:8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Vs. 9-11 – ¹¹“Because God does not show favoritism to either Jew or Gentile, all are treated the same -

To the one who displays and acts of evil – trouble and distress

To the one who does good in God’s eyes comes Glory, Honor and Peace.

WHY IS THIS? Because God does not have any select pets. . . . . .

II. The Law and Its Purpose –

Before God established His laws, the world was filled with the wicked and evil was ramped.

Genesis 6:5-8 “The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.”

After the flood and the earth was repopulated by inhabitants, God began to work in the hearts of men and began with Abraham and his ancestry.

The Law was given by God for the Jews to separate themselves from barbaric ways. It is the perfect standard for all to live by. God wanted a people to show a distinct difference to the world that order can rule over chaos and that man can be civilized. He chose the Israelites to be His “Chosen People.”

Romans 2 – 3:8 (continued)

Vs. 12 -13 Those who sin apart from the law refers to the Gentiles and those who sin within the law are the

Israelites. The Law does not cause obedience, the Law is the guideline for obedience. Righteousness comes to those who act and adhere to God’s unchanging laws.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 – The time will come when God will write His law on their hearts and minds.

Jesus was concerned about the lack of spiritual obedience to God’s laws by the Jews.

Matthew 15:7-9 “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ⁸ "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"

Vs. 14-15 The Gentiles did not have the Mosaic law, yet consciously their moral laws lined up with God’s, i.e., caring for the indigent and widows, abstaining for immorality and even treating one another with respect and dignity. Honestly, their have been and always will be those who are wicked both within the law and outside it. Laws are guidelines meant for the moral, not the immoral.

Vs. 16 – Every man and woman’s secrets will be revealed before God as we must all give account for our lives.

Lost Church Members – Romans 2:17- 29

Vs. 17-24 – Paul directs his comments specifically to the Jew (church member).

If you rely and brag on yourself about adhering to the law.

If you know His law is superior and approve of it.

If you are a guide to those who are blinded to the truth of God.

If you are a light of the truth and an instructor to others who do not know.

If you teach the law, what is required of you? Are you above the Law? Certainly not. If anything, we are responsible for the souls of many.

The Righteous should pave the way on the narrow road to Christ likeness.

Vs. 24 – God’s name is blasphemed, as the Gentiles (the world) sees the wickedness of those in righteous responsibilities.

Vs. 25- 29 - Circumcision in itself has no saving value. The purpose of circumcision as directed by God was to identify as a people physically with Him. The foreskin of the male was considered unclean and corrupt. The circumcision was a sign to the Jew of the covenant God made with Abraham and His people. THE SYMBOL OF CIRCUMCSION IS A SIGN OF FAITH OF THE HEART.

Deuteronomy 10:16-18 “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.”

This circumcision of the Heart is the Holy Spirit’s movement to the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Chapter 3:1-8

Why is being set apart so important? 1) We have been entrusted with God’s Word for the world to Hear. YES! You are an evangelist in God’s eyes.

King David said in the 51^st Psalm verse 4 “Against You (God) and You alone have I sinned.”

1 John 2:4 “The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is

not in him.”

Our unrighteousness reveals God’s righteousness. Repentance of the individual is the only way God will accept us from sinfulness. He has made the provision through His Son; we must make the decision.

Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Remember, condemnation for all men is a result of disobedience, not God’s.