Romans 2 "Therefore you are without excuse..." This passage is all about passing judgment. Making yourself the judge of others, but not yourself. Paul told his readers that this only brings condemnation, not justification. It is the judgements of God that matters.. "And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?"
The Jewish believers judged the Gentile believers for not keeping the Law. But, the Jewish believers were not any better at keeping the Law than the ones they judged. Paul's argument was that whether they had the Law or not.. God judges every person rightly.. "according to his deeds". Thankfully, He judges with kindness, forbearance and patience. And He judges "impartially".
God looks at the deeds of men... what comes from their hearts, whether they have the Law or not. He sees those who persevere "in doing good". Those who are looking to Him.. to eternal life.. to glory and honor. He also sees those who "are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, wrath, and indignation."
For the Jews that remained "under the Law" but did not become "doers" of the Law there is judgment "by the Law". But.. the Gentiles ,who did not have the Law, but acted in accordance with the Law, becoming "doers of the Law".. they would be justified... rendered righteous.. free.
What is written on our hearts? What do our consciences bear witness of? What do our thoughts accuse us of or defend us from? These are the judgements that we need to be concerned about.. not what our brother or sister is doing. When we are in right relationship with our Judge, having had the Spirit circumcise our hearts to make us inwardly His own.. then, if God wills it, we can teach or preach to others His Truth. Otherwise we are blind leading the blind.
Father in heaven, teach us Your Word, Your ways, and Your judgements. Keep us in the kindness of Your grace. Fill us with the love and patience of Your Spirit. May we be doers of the Word.. to the glory and honor of Your Name, Amen,
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