1/29/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Romans... The Christian and Judging (Romans 2:1-11)

Text: Romans 2:1-11 (NKJV)

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:

Paul began the thought here with the idea that judgment by one human being of another is sinful. That being said, let us clarify a few things regarding this thought. Here, Paul is speaking to a more inclusive audience of both the Jews and Gentiles (all non-Jews), which is all people (there is great debate among Biblical scholars as to the audiences in chapters 1&2 that I won't go into great deal here over, but this is the position I take). Last section, Paul was focusing on the Gentiles as the Jews already corporately acknowledged the true God. In speaking to an audience with this new segment within early Christianity, this makes sense. The Judaizers were a group within the early church that tried to impose the Hebrew Law (from both the Old Testament and tradition) on Gentile Christians. In essence, they were judging the Christianity of non-Judaizers as inferior to their own. That aside, this passage fits harmoniously into the tightly knit structure of this book. Paul argued that really the greatest irony of people judging each other is that it is inescapably fraught with hypocrisy. We judge when we ourselves are guilty. James 2:10 provides some context, telling us that violating one part of the law (not committing adultery, for example) makes one guilty of the entire law. I will not digress far into that right now, but this logic implies that I am really incapable of non-hypocritical judgment. One the Righteous One has the right to judge people.

Well, this argumentation has led well into the common argument against Christians is that they are too judgmental. Certainly this is true at times, but the argument is really being used to justify excesses. In this case, Christians are warned against judging in a legal sense as God does from His Throne in Heaven and will do at the end of time. Essentially, we have no right to pass judgment. However- and this is a big however, Christians do need judge things in the sense of evaluation. I will list below (by no means comprehensive) some areas where judgment is directed for Christians:

• 1 Corinthians 11:13- Inference based on principles of Scripture
• Matthew 7- Common passage on not judging, yet one must see that Christ commanded His followers to judge themselves, your brother after righting yourself, metaphorical swine and dogs, the way to eternal life (i.e. other religions and philosophies), and false prophets. In the same chapter, Christ commands men to not judge each other and to evaluate false prophets by their word and deed.
• Matthew 18- Interpersonal offenses
• 1 Corinthians 5- Sin and sinners within the church
• 2 Corinthians 6:14- Spiritual status of individuals in order to decide who to partner with

Again, this list is no where near comprehensive. Christians do have to evaluate actions, ideas, and people. What they are not supposed to do is set themselves in the judgment seat. God is the Judge by virtue of who He is. We are not to usurp this, casting ourselves as lawgivers or authorities. Our judgment (evaluation) then is based on the Word of God. Outside of that, Christians have no place to judge. Does the Bible say homosexuality is sin? Then a Christian is right in judging when I do not let someone openly homosexual serve in leadership within the local church and confront them on their sin; however, for that same Christian to take a morally superior attitude and/or pronounce condemnation on that person is actually an act of sin. Who is the Christian to judge when Romans 3 tells us that there is no one righteous (except for Christ) and all have fallen short of God's glory?

Given the length of this blog and the purpose for which it is being written (basic devotional thoughts not deep theological analysis), I just want to hit on one more thing. In verses 5-8, we see that God will render to us according to our deeds (read Isaiah 64:6 for a hint of humility then). As referenced above to Romans 3, we will see that all of us have missed the mark. Without faith in Christ for salvation, everyone falls into the self-seeking / disobedient category. That does not bode well for those without such a relationship with Christ. He alone can save from the "righteous judgment of God" that deals "tribulation and anguish" as the punishment for sin.

Applications:

I would suggest trying to change your paradigm on judgment. Evaluation based on Scripture and taking an appropriate responsive action is right, whereas casting moral superiority and setting ourselves up as an authoritative judge is not. As with most things we see in the New Testament, the heart is most often the focus and not the outside behavior (see 1 Samuel 16:7). Consider your own heart and motives before ever evaluating another person or their actions.

Seek good! What is good? Bringing glory to God. How does one do that? There are many ways, such as sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, caring for the needy, or praising Him with our words.

Looking Back:

1/27/2011 Devotional Thoughts... Guilty of Ignoring God
1/26/2011 Devotional Thoughts... Romans 1:16-17
1/25/2011 Devotional Thoughts... Romans 1:8-15
1/24/2011 Devotional Thoughts... Romans 1:1-7