[:en]God’s Righteous Judgment (vs. 1-16)
You have no right to pass judgment on someone because you yourself are doing the same thing. God’s judgment against people is based on truth. But you, a mere man, if you judge others, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Are you showing contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience not knowing that God’s kindness has led you toward repentance?
God’s wrath is upon those who are stubborn with unrepentant heart. “He will give to each person according to what he has done” (v. 6) Those who seek glory, honor and impartality shall have peace and eternal life. But those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath, anger, trouble and distress. Those who hear the laws are not considered righteous in God’s sight. It is only those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. The Gentiles do not have the laws but by nature, there are laws that are written on their hears with their conscience bearing witness.
The Jews and the Law (vs. 17-29)
Paul moves on to admonish God’s people. Despite of their knowledge of God’s laws, they too refused to live by it. They were supposed to be a guide for the blind, a light for those who were in darkness, an instructor for the foolish , and as teachers of infants, but yet they dishonored God by breaking the law. As a result, God’s name was blasphemed among the Gentiles because of them. (v. 24)
Circumcision was the sign of God’s special covenant with His people. All Jewish males were required to submit to his rite. (Gen. 17:9-14) . According to Paul, a circumcised Jew meant nothing if he did not obey God’s law. On the contrary, the uncircumcised Gentiles would receive God’s love and approval if they kept God’s laws. A true Jews is not someone who has been circumcised but whose heart is right with God.
THINGS TO PONDER:
- As a sinful man, we have no right to pass judgment on others.
- iN His kindness and patience, God holds back His judgment giving time for people to turn from their sin. As Christians, we must ask God to point out our sins and seek for forgiveness.
- Eventually, judgment is certain and no one can escape that final encounter with God. For each of us will be judged according to what we do.
- Salvation comes by faith alone. We are not saved by good deeds, but if we are truly committed to God, we would listen to His words and obey them. We want to please Him and do His will. Therefore, our good deeds are a grateful response to what God has done for us and not a prerequisite to salvation.
- Those who knows God’s written Word and His law will be judged by them. Those who have never seen a Bible still has God’s moral law – the conscience – written with them.
- If you are a Christian, yet you do not live up to what you know, you are no better than a heathen.
- The law is not only a set of rules. It is a guideline for living according to God’s will. It is a reminder for us to have a proper relationship with Him.
- Have you ever criticized others? Have you advised others to do something but you are unwilling to do it yourself? Make your words match your action.
- If you are a child of God, do you dishonor His name? Do people blaspheme God’s name because of you? Do you live your life that match your name as a Christian?
- Membership in God’s family is based on internal not external qualities. Attending church, being baptized, confirmed or accepted as church member are not enough to qualify to be in God’s family. God desires our heartfelt devotion to Him and obedience to His laws.
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