The Righteous Judgment of God
Romans 2:1-16
JUDGING THE BRETHREN (1-4)
Judgment is a separation or discerning of right and wrong. The judgment implies condemning those who sin. The universal effects of sin, the universal need of a righteousness from God apart from our own, leaves no room for a man to judge another or condemn another. For before God everyman stands condemned. (Romans 14:4, 13)
There is a righteous judgment by the child of God
John 7:24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment”
Judgment always begins with self
1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stand take heed that he does not fall”
1 Timothy 4:16 “Pay close attention to yourself and your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”
Restoration is the goal
Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted”
It is hypocritical, not righteous, judgment that is condemned (Matthew 7:1-5)
Righteous judgment ought to be practice now (1 Corinthians 6:2-5)
PREPARE FOR THE JUDGMENT DAY
It is inevitable (Hebrews 9:27)
It will be a day of wrath and indignation (v. 5, 8)
It will be a day of eternal life and salvation (v. 5, 7)
Galatians 6:7-8 “7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
The fact that it hasn’t yet come brings us to repentance (v. 4). This is the forbearance of God; the loving-kindness of God; the patience of God; the longsuffering of God; the mercy of God; the grace of God.
It makes us aware of a need of grace in which we can stand (Romans 5:2)
THE JUDGMENT OF GOD RIGHTLY FALLS
God’s judgment is always righteous (v. 5)
Psalm 98:9 “Before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.”
God’s judgment is the only one with eternal consequences
James 4:11-12 “11Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?”
All will be judged (v. 5-6)
1 Peter 4:17 “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel?”
Romans 14:10 “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”
There will be no partiality (v. 9-11)
Law or no law all will be judged according to their deeds (v. 6, 12-15)
Judgment will be done through Christ Jesus (v. 16)
John 5:22, 27 “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son…and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man”
Acts 17:31 “because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
Acts 10:42 “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.”
2 Timothy 4:1, 8 “1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead…8which the Lord, the righteous Judge”
Judgment is always based on the Word or according to the gospel
John 12:48 “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day”
Hebrews 4:12-13 “12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”