Building the Case
Romans chapter 2 is a heavy chapter, and it is meant to be that way. It is the weight and reality that we are all sinners in need of a savior. ALL OF US. We read many times in Paul's words, “first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” To simplify this, think Jew = Religious, Gentile = Godless heathens. A vast spectrum, all in that spectrum, are sinners, apart from God without Christ. This is the case Romans chapter 2 is building.
Paul hammers the Religious right out of the gate:
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” - Romans 2:1 NIV
Ouch. My mind takes me to those I have come across that lean towards a more legalistic mindset, that doesn’t live in grace; they live more in the law. We need to remember in chapter 2 where Paul is building the case before he presents the Gospel, before Christ Jesus...making the case we are all sinners apart from Jesus. Context is important.
Pauls drives it home again with the knowledge vs. action. Knowing vs. Doing.
“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.” - Romans 2:13 NIV
This takes me to the next letter Paul wrote after Romans, 1 Corinthians where he said this:
“...We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” - 1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV
The law for knowledge sake, the law for status and honor in the eyes of those around us, is meaningless. Paul is telling us. The law is for doing what is right, to love those around us. But, this chapter is a crucial reminder we are all sinners in need of a savior.
And finally the Gentiles, those who are not religious and do not have any awareness of the law. How can they be held accountable?
“(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)” - Romans 2:14-15 NIV
Paul drives his point home, letting us know that the law is written on our hearts; our conscience and thoughts know the law. Pastor Kris, in his devotional today, had a brilliant example of this...those of us that have not studied the law of physics, or specifically Newton's three laws of gravity does not mean we don’t understand gravity. The fundamental understanding of the law of gravity is written on our conscience when approaching a cliff and understand the consequences if we jump off. We don’t need to study Newton's laws to understand gravity, we know.
Romans 2 is heavy because Paul has not brought the Gospel yet. This brings home the point for me that without Christ, life is heavy! I feel for those who are living apart from Christ, and it drives me to want freedom for all of those living outside God's grace and love. There is a better way; it’s the Gospel! Bring on Romans 3.