Romans - November 25, 2007

Section -- Two; Condemnation -- Romans 1:18-3:20 Continued...

9. Why does Paul say they are stubborn and unrepentant [2:5]?
a. Refuse to acknowledge God’s right to rule, thus, rejected His law [1:28-32]
b. They see God as a soft touch — if not in their talk in their walk. [2:4]

10. (2:5) What is the difference between the readers judgment and God’s judgment?
a. God’s judgment is righteous, thus, their judgment is non-righteous.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] —Is the readers problem that they are not being fair judges, i.e. they are twisting the laws to condone their actions and condemn the actions of others or is it something else?

1. The issue is not the standard they are using or even the way they judge but the fact they know laws are to be obeyed, yet, have chosen to not obey God’s laws for they have the idea God’s kindness and tolerance and patience will ignore their lack of respect for God’s laws...
a. Such implies their laws are necessary to obey, but not God’s — laws of man carry more weight than the laws of God, in their minds.+
b. A loving God will accept what ever he can get from His creation.

E. Conclusion — Paul’s issue is not they are condemned because they are not judging correctly but they are condemned because they knew laws were to be obeyed, however, they had decided God’s law did not need to be obeyed because, evidently, they had decided their concept of right and wrong was equal to or perhaps better than God’s...

1. In their mind man’s wisdom was superior to God’s wisdom [1:18-32], but, God says they were not in the position to judge for their method (law) was inferior.

2. {Act 4:18-19} The correct method for determine right and wrong.

VI. {Rom 2:6-11} Why mankind’s judgment has a problem
A. Introduction
1. Review — The readers are not capable of judging “righteous judgment” for their standard of judgment is not righteous — it is not “fair and unbiased”.
2. Preview — God’s judgment is not like mankind’s.

B. Question For Discussion — How does God determine if one is obedient?

C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. What does Paul mean when he says, “there is no respect of persons with God.” [v.11]
a. Good and bad will be judged with fairness.

2. How shall the bad be judged?
a. (2:8) Contentious who do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness.
b. (2:9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil.
c. (2:5) Those with hard and impenitent heart treasurest up for themselves wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

3. How shall the good be judged...
a. (2:7) To them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life.
b. (2:10) Glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good.

4. What is God’s criteria for judgment?