The Righteous Judgment of God

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Righteous Judgment of God

Date: Feb. 24, 2015

Passage

Romans 2:1-5 (ESV)

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:5

But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

First, the problem with judging others (1-4). Today's passage is a warning to the self-righteous - those who condemn the sin of others but fail to acknowledge their own guilt. The Jewish converts who knew the scriptures were quick to pass judgment upon the Gentiles. But those who judged others were being shortsighted in several ways. By judging others, they exhibited knowledge of God's law and therefore had no excuse for their own disobedience. Furthermore, only God can judge in perfect knowledge and truth. They simply were not qualified to judge others. By overlooking their own guilt, they showed contempt for God's kindness.

Second, the unrepentant heart (5). God has showered us with his kindness and has delayed the judgment we deserve. It is because God is waiting for a change of heart. Peter writes, "...he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." But if our hearts continue to be stubborn and hard, his righteous wrath remains and continues to grow until the final day when he executes his righteous judgment upon sinners.

Prayer: Lord, give us a repentant heart that seeks you.

One Word: Be honest before God

A Tense Confrontation

Genesis 31:31-55

Key Verse: 31:44

Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I. And let it be a witness between you and me.”

Today's Question

Can anyone perfectly keep the commandments of God?

See answer and references