Romans 2

There's no doubt that in my present life, I hear the Word of God differently than in years gone by.  It's the tone in which I receive what God has written that has changed my life.  I remember different people when they wanted to tell me something that was good for my life, but it was hard to "hear" because of the tone in their voice.  It sounded like they hated me or were disgusted with me in speaking something that in and of itself might have been pretty good advice.

So in the "tone" of Romans 2, I see that Paul is progressing in his letter - it's going to get really, really good.  Obviously, he is explaining - not yelling or condemning.  And again previously, Paul has make a distinction between two groups of people - those who are in Christ (the New Man, the New Creation) now, because of God's Glorious Gospel, and those left in sin and death - Adam's creation.

Paul is continuing the condition of the old creation.  No religion in the world is going to solve that problem and he makes it clearer and clearer as we shall see in Romans 3.

In Chapter 2, verse 1 he says "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge..." - well that was all part of the former verses (which I keep reminding myself this is a letter).  He had just described two things in the former sentences.  One that God has revealed himself through the things that are seen in such a way that we have the ability to ask about God and His goodness.  And this would lead to the Gospel.  We are still called though to share the Gospel - God did not mean to do this without man.   We are indeed, to be witnesses of God's Gospel - the power of the Gospel and Resurrection Life (Jesus Christ) in us.

And secondly, that man in his condition is utterly rotten to the core - even if one has not committed all that sin would lead to like nature against nature.  I feel that is important to understand that "dead is dead - sin and death is to the core, putrid in the sight of God."  So if one never went to the full degradation of sin and death in actions, doesn't mean that the person in spirit is not fully despicable.   

This is where "self-righteousness" comes from - and why Paul would say things like if you judge someone else for adultery, stealing, etc. - do you not do those same things yourself?  He is explaining how deceitful sin really is - while one action may be so overt and easy to see, another action is covered up, justified because it's not easily seen.   Jesus demonstrated this in his ministry on earth - he went inside people's hearts and motives - not looking on outward actions alone.

And we all know this is what the Pharisees did.  They thought if they keep ceremonial law (outward acts), for "holiness and righteousness," they were pretty good.   Yuck, yuck is what this is for anyone.

Paul is leading to the fact that ALL need a revelation of SIN and DEATH - it's all in the letter.  And behind that revelation is the Glorious Revelation of Christ Jesus - the New Man - the New Adam and again, God's Glorious Gospel.

So if one reads Romans 2 in light of an explanation and diagnosis of the old man (Adam), it's like a flashlight in the dark - following the light to the open door of God's answer.  God means to use the law to convict man of sin - leave one totally hopeless against God's holiness and true righteousness in himself or ability to perform it by the flesh so that one becomes ready to hear the Glorious  Gospel.  And one becomes ready to RECEIVE the message and Jesus Christ - new life.

And thank God, Paul by God's Spirit and inspiration is definitely going to take us there!  The letter gets awesome - so awesome that we'll be able to better and better understand God's wrath against rejecting His Son - God's Gospel.  All because God has truly provided the remedy, His great salvation. 

"Thank you, Father God again and again for your unspeakable gift of Christ and grace."

Sue Gaither