Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Romans

February 12, 2006 #15 in series

THE HYPOCRITE NEEDS THE GOSPEL

Romans 2:1-16

The Basic Charge Against the Moralist

Part 0ne

Verses 1-5

“He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones!”

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things , do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. (NIV)

In chapter one of Romans we saw a rather bleak picture of the condition of the unbeliever and what God thinks of their lifestyle. Judgment is absolutely certain. Now we come to chapter two of Romans. This section addresses the moralist or the hypocrite. Verses 1-16 has been rightly labeled, “The impartiality of God.” Look at the charge in verse one. I prefer the New King James version at this verse. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” Someone has said“we hate our own sins when we see them in others.”

In this passage Paul is writing to anyone, Jew or Gentile, who is practicing judging others and not themselves. We move from unrighteousness in chapter one to self-righteousness in chapter two.

Several years ago when evangelist Jim Bakker was arrested, charged, tried and convicted of several scandals, Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart was interviewed by Ted Koppel on Nightline. When asked what he thought about Jim Bakker’s fiasco, Swaggart was very judgmental and replied, “I think he got what he deserved.” Swaggart went ahead to call Bakker a cancer in the body of Christ. A short while later, Jimmy Swaggart himself was in the news. It came to light that he had been visiting prostitutes. This had been going on for quite some time, even during the time when he called Bakker a “cancer.”

What an example of the principle in Romans 2:1. God knows the spiritual condition of these two men – we certaintly don’t know. However, I believe every one of us reading this pen pulpit is guilty to one dergee or another of judging someone else. The ones Paul is addressing were people who were looking down their self righteous noses at the heathen and saying in effect “They really deserve to be judged.” Paul said, “My friends, you are no better than anyone else – for you who judge, do the same things.” You see, God looks, not only on the actions of man, but also upon our inner thoughts (cf I Samuel 16:7). In verse two we learn that God’s judgment is according to truth. Here truth is Things as they really are – not what they may appear to be. So the judgment of these hypocrites is rightly deserved, because in reality, they are sinners just as those in chapter one.

Then in verse three he shatters their false expectation of escaping the judgment of God. No, they will be judged just the same as everyone else. These folk believe that they are actually in God’s favor. In verse four they completely misunderstand the kindness, tolerance and patience of God. In reality the kindness, tolerance and patience of God is an indication of His goodness. You see He wants them to come to repentance. Folks, God doesn’t like to judge. Judgment is His strange work cf Isa 28:21 (NIV). In fact in verse five it is because of their stubborn and unrepentant heart they are storing up wrath to their account when a holy and righteous God visits them with His judgment.

We’ll leave off at verse five today. There’s a lot to say in this brief passage. In our next pen pulpit we’ll see that God also judges according to the deeds of man. I would like to draw an application of what we have looked at today. Basically part of the application is for beievers.

LETS EXAMINE OUR OWN HEART

Have we pointed our finger critically at someone lately? If we have, have we first examined our own life to see if there is something there that we haven’t dealt with before the LORD? Something perhaps that someone could point their finger at? If not – then we need to deal with our own life first. Just ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to search the inner recesses of your heart. If He brings something to your mind, then name it before the Lord and forsake it.

If there is anyone reading this pen pulpit and has yet to see your need for a Savior, I implore you to examine your heart and take the Word of God at face value. Hear the Word of God: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God….”Romans 3:23 (NIV); “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV); “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:11-13 (NASB).

In our next pen pulpit we will take up at verse 6. God bless and have a wonderful week.