February 8, 2004

THE JUDGMENT OF GOD

Romans 2:1-11

   "We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth" is Paul's confidence. But this statement followed his explanation that men are inexcusable, whoever they are who judge others, for when they judge others, they condemn themselves, for they do the same.

   By what standard do these judge others? How do they know the others are acting badly? In Romans 2:15 we read "their consciences bearing witness," and we suspect the same here. When the bar of conduct is raised for others, that same standard must apply to oneself, thus "they condemn themselves" But how does God judge?

   He judges "according to truth." That is, He measures man's behavior by His own righteous standard of truth, the very thing they had "changed...into the lie." They had changed everything, and by their corrupted standards they now judge others. Dare they think they shall escape "the judgment of God?" Having done their utmost to blot out the glory and knowledge of God, yet we read, "they...knowing the judgment [righteous sentence] of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Rom. 1:32). How sad for the Gentiles!

   But what about the Jews? "Behold, you are called a Jew and rest in the law, and make your boast of God, and know His will. You approve the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law. You are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to them which are in darkness [Gentiles], an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having an outline of truth in the law."

   "You who teach others, Do you not teach yourself? You preach a man should not steal, Do you steal? You say a man should not commit adultery, Do you commit adultery?" Did Israel really understand and know the law in which they boasted? "They being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (10:3). Had they not also raised the standard of judging? Thus those who sinned without law shall also perish without law, and those who sinned with law shall be judged by the law. Not at all a happy scene!

Ivan L. Burgener