GOD’S JUDGMENT EXTENDS TO ALL MEN

ROMANS 2:6–13

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law

(Romans 2:12).

We remember that Paul has in view here the great line of demarcation between the Jew and the Gentile. The Jew possessed the law of God, and the Gentile did not have that religious heritage. But there is no partiality with God, says Paul. The Gentile, who has sinned outside the law, will be judged apart from the law, while the sinful Jew will be judged by the law. Whether you sin as a Jew or as a Gentile, you perish.

Hearing versus doing

Paul goes on to elaborate this in verse 13, “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.” The Jews often heard the law. They heard it read and recited in the synagogue and on all kinds of religious occasions. And because they had been given these documents by God, some of them came to the conclusion that this was proof that they would inherit the Kingdom of God, regardless of how they lived.

Paul won’t stand for this, however. He continues to drive home the point that only those who obey the law in practice will be justified. Salvation is based on our deeds, but only the perfectly righteous man or woman can be justified.

Salvation by works?

Paul had earlier made clear that the only way any person can be saved is to stand sinless before God. In verses 6 and following, he says that “God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” In other words, anybody who persistently, constantly, and perfectly does good and obeys God, will get into heaven.

Of course, there are no such people, so Paul’s point is theoretical in a sense. On the other hand, though, it is only in the sinless perfection of Jesus Christ that we can be accepted. Thus, it is on the basis of His works that we are saved.

CORAM DEO

Our inability to keep the Law fully does not excuse us from diligently pursuing it. Review the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:6–21) and thank God for the beauty and Tightness of His standards.

thursday

march