In Romans chapter two, Paul continues to demonstrate the need for justification by proving that all are under sin. In the last section of chapter one, Paul showed that the Gentiles were sinners (Romans 1:18-32).  Now, in Romans two, Paul turns his attention to the Jews.

While the Jews would certainly be very accepting of Paul’s message to the Gentiles, they were blinded by pride when it came to their own sins.  In this regard, the Jews were much like most people today—it was easy for them to see the sins of others while ignoring their own shortcomings.   In an attempt to show the Jews that they, too, needed the gospel, Paul turned his attention to them and proved that they were sinners as well.  He began by reminding them that they could not escape the judgment of God.

Romans 2:1-3 (ESV)
¹  Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. ²  We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. ³  Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

Why would the Jews, apart from repentance, be judged negatively by God?  It was because they were hypocrites, condemning the Gentiles for doing something that they were doing themselves.  Notice that verse one begins with the word “therefore,” taking us back to the end of chapter one.  In the last verse of that chapter, Paul told the Gentiles that they deserved to die because of all the sins they were committing.  If the Gentiles deserved to die for those sins, why wouldn’t the Jews, who were practicing some of the same things, deserve to die as well?  They would; thus, Paul implies, by way of a question, that they would not escape the judgment of God.

This is a good lesson for all of us to remember.  If we practice sin, we will have to pay the price.  While God created us with free will, giving us the ability to live any way we choose, we cannot escape the consequences of our choices.

Galatians 6:7 (ESV)
⁷  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

The Jews needed to realize this.  They believed that they could live any way they wanted and escape the wrath of God simply because they were Jews.  Some of the sacred writings of the Jews indicate that they continued to believe that they would be saved no matter what.  Only suicide would put their souls in danger.  All other sins would be overlooked because they were the special people of God.

Christians are in danger of developing this same attitude.  The saints at Corinth certainly did, and Paul admonished them for it.

1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)
¹²  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Read the first eleven verses of 1 Corinthians 10.  Verse 12 is just the conclusion of the admonishment Paul made to these brethren, warning them not to make the same mistakes that the people of God made in the Old Testament.  These saints were thinking that God’s people could not possibly lose their souls just because of a little sinful behavior. Thinking in such a way is delusionary.  All active sinners will be judged according.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)
¹⁰  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

None of us will escape the judgment of God.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things