Romans 2:1-29
Focus Verse:
A) Our morality is weak
1) We condemn people as wicked but do the same things
2-4) God's justice punishes, He is patient, kind, tolerant intending us to turn from sin
- Ten commandments (Ex 20:1-17), 5-10 about relationship with people, flowing from 1-4 our relationship with God
- Jesus emphasizes righteousness over "do not" (Matt 5:21-22,28,7:12)
5-6) We're stubborn in sin, storing wrath against self, God will judge what we did
- We think we are hiding, but in full view (Heb 4:12)
B) God's standard is justice
7-8) Eternal life for doing good, seeking God's offering, anger/wrath for refusing obey truth
9-11) Trouble for people doing evil, glory/peace for doing good, no favoritism
12-13) People destroyed in sin/disobedience, law or without
- Consequences, was brought back to my study of Leviticus 4-5
- Rom 2:14,27 "heart law" prophesied by Jeremiah with the new covenant, Jer 31:31-34, confirmed in Heb 10:16, 8:10, Romans 11:27
16) God judges secret life through Jesus Christ
- From BSF notes: The Right Path: Jesus Christ "God saves people only through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. But no one can reach eternal life without actually being on the path of righteousness. Jesus spoke of the path in Matthew 7:13-14, Isaiah 45:22 tells us to change direction, this is repentance spoken of in 1 Thes 1:9-10. True faith is accompanied by decisive repentance and we bear fruit in repentance (James 2:14-26)
C) Religious actions have benefits but change comes from God's work within
17-20) knowing law doesn't make a relationship w/God or give complete knowledge to teach
- Romans 7:18 "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."
21-24) teach yourself, don't steal (you steal), adultery (you adulterer), idolatry (use stolen item pagan temple), knowing law/dishonor God breaking it, Gentile blaspheme because of us
25-27) Circumcision is everlasting covenant promise, sign in flesh - many nations,
- Colossians 2:10-12, "And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. In Him you were also circumcised in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead"
28-29) True circumcision is heart changed by God's Spirit
- Jeremiah 4:4, Circumcise yourselves to the LORD And remove the foreskins of your heart,
John 3:3-21, Jesus explains being born again comes from seeing him on the cross
- Ezekiel 11:19, I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart,
- Ezekiel 18:31, Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Focus Verse:
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. -Romans 2:4-5 NIV
A) Our morality is weak
1) We condemn people as wicked but do the same things
2-4) God's justice punishes, He is patient, kind, tolerant intending us to turn from sin
- Ten commandments (Ex 20:1-17), 5-10 about relationship with people, flowing from 1-4 our relationship with God
- Jesus emphasizes righteousness over "do not" (Matt 5:21-22,28,7:12)
5-6) We're stubborn in sin, storing wrath against self, God will judge what we did
- We think we are hiding, but in full view (Heb 4:12)
B) God's standard is justice
7-8) Eternal life for doing good, seeking God's offering, anger/wrath for refusing obey truth
9-11) Trouble for people doing evil, glory/peace for doing good, no favoritism
12-13) People destroyed in sin/disobedience, law or without
- Consequences, was brought back to my study of Leviticus 4-5
Lord instructs that sin is doing what the Lord forbids, brings guilt and requires confession14-15) instincts, conscience prove laws written on heart
- (Leviticus 4:1-2) Sin Offering: Unintentional sin, doing what is forbidden by Lord’s commands (Leviticus 6:24-30) to priest: this is a most holy offering, slaughtered in the Lord presents, priest must eat a portion unless it’s blood used for purification\atonement
- (Leviticus 4:3-12) If priest sins
- (Leviticus 4:13-21) whole community sins
- (Leviticus 4:22-26) leader sins
- (Leviticus 4:27-35) Member of community sins
- (Leviticus 5:1-13) Examples of unintentional sins, not speaking up/yet responsible, accidental contact/yet guilty, any guilt - must be confessed in what way person sinned, bring offering, priest makes atonement, forgiven
- Rom 2:14,27 "heart law" prophesied by Jeremiah with the new covenant, Jer 31:31-34, confirmed in Heb 10:16, 8:10, Romans 11:27
16) God judges secret life through Jesus Christ
- From BSF notes: The Right Path: Jesus Christ "God saves people only through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. But no one can reach eternal life without actually being on the path of righteousness. Jesus spoke of the path in Matthew 7:13-14, Isaiah 45:22 tells us to change direction, this is repentance spoken of in 1 Thes 1:9-10. True faith is accompanied by decisive repentance and we bear fruit in repentance (James 2:14-26)
C) Religious actions have benefits but change comes from God's work within
17-20) knowing law doesn't make a relationship w/God or give complete knowledge to teach
- Romans 7:18 "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."
21-24) teach yourself, don't steal (you steal), adultery (you adulterer), idolatry (use stolen item pagan temple), knowing law/dishonor God breaking it, Gentile blaspheme because of us
25-27) Circumcision is everlasting covenant promise, sign in flesh - many nations,
- Colossians 2:10-12, "And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. In Him you were also circumcised in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead"
28-29) True circumcision is heart changed by God's Spirit
- Jeremiah 4:4, Circumcise yourselves to the LORD And remove the foreskins of your heart,
John 3:3-21, Jesus explains being born again comes from seeing him on the cross
- Ezekiel 11:19, I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart,
- Ezekiel 18:31, Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.