THE RICHES OF GOD'S PATIENCE

Monday, January 2nd 2017
Romans 2:1-11

This morning's word speaks to us about the guilt of these who judge. At the same time it speaks about God's patience towards guilty mankind. God's judgment is unavoidable. What is the criterion of God's judgment ?

1. If you judge you will be judged (1-4)

One day, Jesus said do not judge our brothers if we do not want to be judged. Seek to take the log out of your own eye rather than taking the speck out of your brother's eye. After having spoken about universality of sin, Paul speaks about guilt of those who judge. He says that when you judge others, you condemn yourself. Why ? Because the act of judging is an act which takes the place of God. God judges these who judge (2). Then, according to the principle of mankind, man makes the same mistake, because, according to Paul, no one is honest before God (3:23 a). The Jews who judge others and all who judge others, presume on the kindness of God who patiently endures our sins.

2. The right remuneration of God (5-11)

Our God is not a commonplace God. He is alive and he looks at all the hearts of men, and either he rewards the honest people or he disapproves the sinners. We must live with fear and trembling before God who renders to each one according to his works (7-10). He without fail will come and will make justice to the sinful world. If we live according to his glory, persevering in well-doing, we will receive eternal life and his divine kingdom. But if we practice evil disobeying the truth, the punishment and the wrath will wait for us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to not judge my brothers, because you forgave me with a high price. Make me live with fear and trembling because your jugdment is awesome and your grace towards the honest is immeasurable.

Bottom line: be patient, thinking of your God who was patient towards you