ESOCS Devotional 25 March 2023
TEXT: ROM. 2:1-16
MEMORY VERSE: “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1 ESV
Sometimes we easily see the sins of others, but we don’t notice our own sin. In fact, if we hear of someone doing exactly what we did, as David did, we are quick to see the act as a sin because we didn’t do it.
One of the problems we can easily slip into is a feeling of self-righteousness. We look out at the sinful world and see the grievous sins that are committed and we begin to think of ourselves as better than them. It is not an intentional thought, but just a reality. “We do not sin like those people.” “At least we are trying to serve God.” “But they do not seem to care about God at all.” It is these attitudes that seems to be Paul’s concern.
However, God is the holy, righteous, perfect Judge. He sees all and knows all. He sees the sin of all and judges the sin of all. No matter who we are, where we are from, how religious we think we are, God sees our sin.
When we speak of religious people, we mean people who seem to follow God but may not actually follow God. In fact, these people often think they are quite godly and others may think they are quite godly. However, Paul is saying that religiosity doesn’t necessarily help you when it comes to standing before the impartial, holy, righteous God of the universe.
There is coming a day, however, when things will be different—radically different. It is a day Paul refers to in Romans 2:16 when God will judge men. There will be no need for lawyers; God does not need to listen to crooked defense strategies. There will be no need for remembering what actually happened; God is omniscient and omnipresent. He knows what happened better than we do; indeed he was there when the deeds were done. There will be no need to attempt to discern whether someone is actually telling the truth or not; again, God knows all things. In short, it will be a perfect situation: a holy judge who cannot lie or sin, be bought off or corrupted in any way.
He will possess complete knowledge of all mitigating factors and circumstances and his verdict will be just with no opportunity for appeal. Indeed, there can be no appeal, for there is no higher court. It will be a radically different day, for an omnipotent, omniscient, and holy judge will take the stand and settle issues once and for all. The question surfaces, then, “on what basis does God judge people.” Paul provides an answer in Romans 2:1-16: God judges people impartially, according to their works and the truth.
- Is your record to be found wanting or trusting?
- Righteous judge of the whole world, help me by your sufficient grace to live a righteous life, let your merits stand for mine in Jesus’ name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Exodus 12:28-36; 2 Kings 4:1-7; Mark 6:7-13
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 25 March 2023
