Romans 2
Romans 2:1- For in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
This part hits me hard because I feel like it is very easy for me to look at someone and instantly judge whether or not they are “good” or “bad.” For instance, I know that a lot of people tend to judge Christian celebrities like Justin Bieber or even mainstream Christian bands like Maverick City Music, Hillsong, and more. But, who am I to judge them? Who knows their heart, but God?
Romans 2:4- 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?
Another analogy to a relationship: I know a friend who recently got a girlfriend and is now trying to quit vaping because she does not like it when he vapes. In the same manner, what more can we do for Christ? Can we have the same attitude with our relationship with Jesus, who offers us eternal salvation?
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)- For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what please him.
Psalm 20:4- May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Did you know that God speaks through our desires? People who want to hear God’s voice externally are asking for the wrong thing at times because if God lives inside us, why are we so caught up in asking to hear his voice externally? God is already speaking to us through the desires of our heart- he is “working in you” and in ways we cannot see, our heart’s desires will be transformed. Surely, his kindness will lead us to repentance.
Romans 2:8,10- But for those who are self seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. But glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good
I love how it says, “Do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness.” In a world where it seems like there is no objective truth, this verse speaks about there being a truth. What is the truth? Reminded of what Romans 1 talks about:
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
The truth is made available to us. Will we choose to seek the truth and find that Jesus is the truth, or will we obey unrighteousness (aka not the truth?)
Romans 2:13- For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Going back to Romans 2:4. Will his kindness towards us lead us to be doers of the law, or will we just hear about it, say cool, but continue to live lives that do not glorify God?