THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD

ROMANS 2:1–3

Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth

(Romans 2:2).

Some people protest against God’s condemning anybody at all. They react negatively to the thought of a just judgment at the hands of God. Yet Paul states that we are aware that when God judges and condemns wickedness—the very wickedness that we condemn—He does so justly. There is nothing wrong with God’s condemning things that are evil.

Furthermore, how can we deny God, who is altogether holy and righteous, the perfect right to judge evil, when we judge it ourselves? We who practice evil condemn evil in others. How can it be wrong for God, who does no wrong, to condemn evil?

Judgment according to truth

As the NIV translation puts it, God’s judgment is “based on truth.” All of God’s evaluations are according to truth, and He makes no mistakes when He hears a case. There is no possibility of an error in the proceedings, and the final judgment that God renders is absolutely right and completely in accord with the truth.

Inescapable judgment

Paul continues, “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?” (Romans 2:3). This verse is one of the reasons scholars almost universally agree that Paul is directing his attention here to Israel. It was commonplace for the Jews, particularly the Pharisees, to believe exactly what Paul here condemns.

They believed that God would excuse certain behavior among the Jews while He would condemn the same acts when done by pagans. Because they believed that they were in a privileged position with God because of the Abrahamic covenant, many of them came to the conclusion that judgment on the last day would not be made on the basis of individual sins but on the basis of inclusion in this privileged group. On the surface this might seem outrageous, but how many people today believe that simply being a member of the church will guarantee them salvation?

CORAM DEO

Think of a particular sin you have criticized in others and of which you are also guilty. Recognize that in committing the same sin your own judgment is inescapable. Confess your sin to God and think of a way to show mercy to the person you criticized.

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march