Romans Part 07

Paul concludes Romans 1 with a catalogue of sins that characterize mankind apart from God. Having been given over to a debased mind, people become "filled with all unrighteousness," including sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness, whispering and backbiting, hatred of God, violence, pride, boasting, inventing evil things, disobedience to parents, lack of discernment, untrustworthiness, and a lack of love, forgiveness, and mercy.

These are common expressions of mankind's fallen condition. This is not merely a description of the ancient world. The same attitudes and behaviors are common today. Modern culture often approves of sin or disguises it with attractive slogans. Paul concludes by observing that people not only practice such things but also approve of those who practice them.

The lesson is that it does not take every sin on this list to corrupt a person. Once embraced and practiced, sin can make a person unfit for the Kingdom of God. Murder is obviously serious, but so are rebellion against parents, deceit, pride, lack of mercy, and every other sin God condemns. Every part of God's law matters. We must call sin what God calls sin and recognize that God Himself established the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness.

Having exposed the sins of the Gentile world, Paul now shifts his attention in Romans 2 to those who judge others while practicing the same things themselves: 

"Therefore, you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge." 

This is not a blanket prohibition against all judgment or discernment. If it were, Paul would have violated his own instruction by identifying the sins listed in Romans 1. The issue is hypocritical judgment. It is wrong to condemn others for sins while practicing those same sins ourselves.

Paul reminds his readers that God's judgment is according to truth, not according to our comparisons, excuses, or outward religious identity. It is not enough to denounce evil in others. We must also examine ourselves before God. Those who judge others while doing the same things should not suppose they will escape the judgment of God.

Rather than ending with condemnation, Paul introduces the way out: repentance. He asks whether they despise the riches of God's goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not realizing that the goodness of God leads them to repentance. Throughout the opening chapters of Romans, Paul is building the case that all people are under sin. This argument reaches its conclusion in Romans 3:23: 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 

Yet even here in Romans 2, Paul shows that God provides a path toward repentance.

Paul warns against a hard and impenitent heart that stores up wrath for the day of judgment. This theme of hardness will reappear later in Romans, especially in chapter 9, where Paul discusses mercy and hardening. God's solution, however, was never to abolish His law because mankind failed to keep it. The fault was with the people, not with God's law. Hebrews 8 explains that God found fault with the people and promised a New Covenant in which He would write His laws in their hearts and minds. Likewise, Ezekiel 36:26 promises that God will remove the heart of stone and give His people a heart of flesh.

A hardened heart refuses to repent, while a heart of flesh responds to God and turns from sin. God's goodness, patience, and mercy are intended to lead us to that repentance rather than giving us an excuse to continue in sin.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.