Romans is the first place a person needs to look for doctrine on salvation. The full doctrine of the true Christian faith. What we believe and why we believe. Rom 1:18-32 gives us the true nature of sin. No one has an excuse.
The sinner from birth is spiritually dead, self-destructive and divine justice is certain. Spiritual death leads to physical death and finally eternal condemnation.
Romans is a call for all believers to spread the gospel, pray earnestly for our city, country and our families to escape the wrath that is to come. Last week was depressing but it is only going to get worse. The truth hurts.
2: 1-4, we have no excuse. A promise that God will repay each person to the deeds we have done. The state of all unbelievers.
The world objects to being judged. Who are we to pass judgement on someone else? But God continually judges the evil deeds of the self-righteous and proud. The world thinks everyone is basically good but are we really a good person. Have we ever stolen something....have you ever taken a sick day without genuine need. That makes us a thief. Are you a liar....?
People are not good. We are thieving lying blasphemers. Everyone.
2: 7-11. There is a false conception of what justice really is. People think that justice is modelled by Lady Justice where the good endeavours of life tip the balance in a person’s favour. Reward from works. Do more good than bad, but most believe they just have to do enough to keep the balance level but this is not God's justice. Religious adherence and practices are also thought to accumulate life, good character credits.
Persistence by doing good. Seeking glory, eternal life. What is God's thought on the matter of doing good.
Ps 53:3 Everyone has turned away, there is no one who does good, not even one. The natural position of humanity.
We turn away from God. You can only do good if you are a true believer. Everything else is piety and self-deceit.
John 5:23 We must honour the Lord Jesus Christ if we are to get honour, as God will not those who do not honour Jesus.
2 Tim 1:10 Only Jesus brings eternal life, not our goodness or self-promotion and works.
Rom 6:21 Benefits we reap lead to holiness and the result is eternal life. Works cannot reap eternal and holiness because it is only Jesus who can set us free.
Col 2:18 Worship of angels anything other than Christ disqualifies us. False religion. So many cults and religious groups worship things other than Christ.
Rom 2:7 Is not about what the individual brings. We cannot earn our way into heaven. Only those who love the Lord Jesus Christ.
The unbelieving Gentile has a God given conscience. People seek justice because it is in-built to give witness of God's law along with the witness of Creation. The world is full of people seeking justice who
The Jew has the Law and will have to give an account for their keeping and honouring of God's law. The Gentile will be shown to be a law unto themselves.
The Jew has a greater obligation to God because they have the Law but no one is without an excuse. But the believer, when we are the before the Lord, our sin is forgiven. We will be accountable for our performance, how we used the gifts and talents that God has given to us. Fire will tell the quality of each person's work and yet we will be still be saved.
Rom 2 v 17 God will judge rightly.
Our only hope is the Lord Jesus Christ, a body given, blood-shed, a price paid, a rescue offered, a deliverance assured, a redemption gained. We were the living dead without hope but if we are true believers then we await his return and justice from the Throne.