Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Romans

February 26, 2006 #17 in series

THE HYPOCRITE NEEDS THE GOSPEL

(continued)

The Basic Charge Against the Moralist

Conclusion

Romans 2:11-16

For God does not show favoritism. All who sin apart from the law will perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, and even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. (NIV)

The deeds or works of man play a very important part in God’s judgment. For example in Romans 2:6 Paul writes that, “God will render to each person according to his deeds.” He then elaborates upon that statement in verses 7-10. He summarizes this passage in verse 11 “for there is no partiality with God.” God shows no favoritism to any one.

“The most magnificent and exalted creature God made was Lucifer, the “star of the morning, son of the dawn.” But because of his prideful ambition to raise himself even above his Creator, to make himself “like the Most High,” even the high-ranking, majestic Lucifer was cast out of heaven by God to Sheol (Isaiah 14:12-15). The most exalted became the most debased. If ever there was a being whose position merited special favor before God it was Lucifer. But his high position instead made him more accountable for his evil rebellion and he therefore will receive the greatest punishment of any creature in hell.” (MacArthur)

The following verses develop more fully what he is writing about. God will render to every man according to what he has done, whether Jew or Gentile, for God shows no partiality. Deeds or works reflect the condition of the heart “out of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45). Also see Mark 7:20-23. This fact is also stated in the Old Testament. He now enhances this concept. Those who haven’t been exposed to the law will be judged, not according to the law, but by the standard to which they have been exposed –i.e. the amount of light they have received will determine their judgment. However, those who have the law (Jews) have the light of God’s mind and character – hence much light. They will be judged by the law. God does not justify a person on the basis of just hearing or knowing the law. The law demands absolute obedience in thought, word and deed from the birth to the death of an individual. Only the LORD JESUS CHRIST has met that requirement! In fact the law was never given to save a man. It was given to reveal God’s character and requirements for man and thus show that no one can, in any way, live up to them. Romans 3:20 says “through the law we become conscious of sin.” The following is theoretical in order to make his point. Those who have obeyed the law will be justified by the law. However no one has ever fully obeyed the law. He continues by saying when those who weren’t given the law, instinctively recognize and do the things of the law, these folk are a law unto themselves… that is,

“they form their own code of right and wrong behavior from their moral instincts.” (MacDonald).

“God has written, not His law, but the work of His law, what the work of His law requires of people in the heart and conscience of every person.” (Morris)

This will happen on the day when God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ.

“No man can find refuge from God’s judgment by claiming ignorance of His written revelation; violation of God’s internal revelation is enough to condemn us all.”

(David Guzik).

Their consciences will bear witness to this fact either accusing them or defending them. This will happen when God opens up the hearts of every man at the judgment. Notice the day of judgment was a part of Paul’s gospel. He did not shrink from declaring man’s absolute accountability to God. According to my gospel.

“’My gospel’ - does not this show his courage? As much as to say, ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.’ He says ‘my gospel’ as a soldier speaks of ‘my colors,’ or of ‘my king.’ He resolves to bear this banner to victory, and to serve this royal truth even to the death.” (Spurgeon)

The secrets of the heart will then be revealed.

“The idea that God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ is distinctively Christian. The Jews taught that God the Father would judge the world, committing judgment to no one – not even the Messiah.” (Guzik).

When we think of the fact that the secrets of the heart will be made known openly, is it not convicting that God knows the secrets of our hearts right now? No – we can’t hide anything from Him. If we are not careful, the secrets of our heart could easily become the actions of our life.

The Word of God has a lot to say about the thought life of believers - cf 2 Cor. 12: 3-6. Proverbs says in Proverbs 23:7”as he thinks in his heart so is he.” Therefore, we are what we think more than we think. Lets follow Paul’s admonition in Philippians 4:8,9 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” God bless and have a great week.