Romans 2
May 25, 2022
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” (v1)
Paul issues a rebuke at the end of Romans 1 against sins (especially sexual sins) that the Jews would have found particularly worthy of God’s judgment. But just when the Jews would have been feeling most spiritually smug and self-righteously superior, Paul turns his rebuke to them and their sins of judgmentalism and hypocrisy. After all, to break any part of God’s law is to be a law breaker (v25). The Jews didn’t commit “those pagan sins” that the Gentiles committed, but they still sinned. Paul is building his case toward the conclusion that “Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin” (Rom 3:9).
Father, I thank You for being the true Standard of righteousness. Looking into the mirror of Your Word shows me how far short of Your standard I fall. Being religious does not keep me from sin. In fact, religion leads me into the sins of self-righteousness, spiritual pride and looking down on others, which only makes me more guilty before You. But I praise You that You invite me to see the guilt of my sin, not so that I despair - but so that I might see my need for a Savior - and be prepared to hear and receive the gospel.
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
-
Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
-
Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
-
➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
