When our daughter was a baby, we’d never think of getting angry when she knocked something over or made a mess. She was little, and we expected her to do the unexpected. But as she’s grown up, our standards have grown with her. Now, she knows better!
In Romans 2, Paul addresses the problem of Jewish hypocrisy — asking a series of questions to a people who should have known better too.
Will You Escape?
“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?” (Rom. 2:3).
Paul echoes Jesus’ comical words about seeing the speck in a brother’s eye, while there’s a log sticking out of yours (Luke 6:41). It’s so easy to get distracted by pointing out the faults of others — focusing our attention on “those people.” But if we spend too much time pointing out other people’s sins, we’ll never stop to see our own. Know that God sees your faults just as clearly as He sees the sins of the entire world!
Will you escape on that final day of judgment?
Will You Repent?
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4).
Though God will judge all men, He’s also extraordinarily merciful and patient. Does that mean He’ll accept your sinful lifestyle — because He’s so kind? As Paul liked to say, by no means! His mercy and patience give us more time to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:15)! He’s set His standard, and now He’s given us time to change. Know that every moment you have on earth is an opportunity to turn from evil and come back to the Lord!
Will you use the time you have left here on earth to repent?
Will You Teach Yourself?
“You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?” (Rom. 2:21-22).
Could we be guilty of having a “Do as I say, not as I do” attitude? Paul certainly considered that possibility, as he said, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). Sadly, the fallout from this kind of hypocrisy may lead people to hate God (Rom. 2:24). If we ever hope to impact this world, sharing the message of Christ with them, we’ve got to control ourselves first. Know that until we teach ourselves, we’ll never be effective in trying to bring light into the dark world we live in!
Will you redirect your attention and first teach yourself?
Let’s take a fresh look at our lives since we know better. And let’s never forget God’s judgment, patience, and desire for us to turn away from evil today!
