“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”
Romans 2:1-11 NLT Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, challenged the religious man (specifically the Jew) to recognize their own wickedness. The Gentile culture was steeped in obvious ungodliness and debauchery (excessive perverted conduct). The Jewish man (religious man) could stand back and point his finger at the obvious wicked conduct of the heathen world but he couldn't see the wickedness of his own heart. Regardless of whether you are a wicked man or a dedicated religious man, if you haven't recognized yourself as a sinner apart from God, repented of that sin, and accepted Jesus as Lord, you are still lost. No one is "ok" with God just because they are raised in a moral environment, attend church, and lives a "clean" life. What is unclean is our nature. We are born in sin. We need redemption. Only Jesus can redeem us from our unclean state of life!!! Only the blood of Jesus can wash our sins away!!! It is a good thing to live a clean life and to contribute to the moral stability of society, but that isn't good enough. There is only One who is "good". Jesus is His name! My trust is completely in Him!!! I pray yours is as well!
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March 2020
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