Before A Righteous God
SCRIPTURE: Romans 2:1-16 
Read the passage
BIO: My name is Bret Allen. My wife’s name is Kim and we have four children Andrew (16), Ann Bret (14), David (11), and John (9). We moved to Winter Park in 2005 from Spartanburg, SC. Winter Park is actually my home town as I graduated from WPHS in 1979. I’ve been on staff with the ministry of Young Life for 21 years and am currently the Area Director for Young Life in Orlando. My hobbies, interests, passions are Jesus and my family.
KEY VERSE: Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
CENTRAL TRUTH: God’s righteous judgment is for all. There is no partiality with God. His righteous judgment is for the moral, the pagan, the Jew, the Greek, everybody.
DEVOTIONAL: Before A Righteous God
Who are we in this passsge? Are we the moralist who tries hard to ‘be good’ and obedient and passes judgment on those he considers ‘not good’? But in reality we are just as ‘bad’. (Rom 2:1-3). Are we the person who doesn’t recognize God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience in our lives and continues to live the same and not repent? (Rom 2:4-5) Or are we the one who is doing good, seeking glory and honor, and eternal life? (Rom 2:7) One of the truths of this passage is that whoever we are, we will face ‘the righteous judgment of God’ (vs 5).
Paul is laying out the gospel message for the Romans. At this stage in his letter Paul is establishing the truth that all are guilty and all will be judged (Rom 3:23). Paul encourages us to be ‘doers of the Law not just hearers’ (Rom 2:13, James 1:22-25) and to do good (Rom 2:10) and that by so doing there is peace (vs 10) and justification (vs 13). Our actions reveal our heart (James 2). But we know that as we look at scripture as a whole salvation is only by God’s grace to those who believe (Rm 6:23, Eph 2:8-9).
I had a friend ask me once ‘Am I really going to be judged by God? What is that going to be like? It is important for all of us to recognize our position before a holy and righteous God and to know the ‘Good News’ of Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. May we all be aware of our unworthiness before a righteous judge and the ‘amazing grace’ of that God.
QUESTION 1: How does it make you feel to know that God knows all your secrets (vs 16)?
QUESTION 2: Why is it important for us to be aware of our standing before a righteous God?
QUESTION 3: What if Romans 2 was the end? Where would your hope be?
Where is your hope? (Jn 3:16, Rm 5:8, Eph 2:8-9, Rm 6:23)
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