Bad Things Happen to Good People Romans 2

Bad Things Happen to “Good People” Romans 2

Paul’s Surprising Argument § Humanity is in Trouble With (Ch. 1) [2] And. God we know that the § § § judgment of God rightly falls upon Apathetic Towards Him 1: 18 -19, 21, 25, such 28 things. those who practice But do you suppose this, O God “Gave them over…” [3] 1: 24, 26, 28 man…that you will escape the judgment of God? Humanity Becomes Depraved 1: 29 f [5] …You are storing up wrath for § Wanting independence, instead we get slavery. yourself in the day of wrath and § A “Moral Insanity” dominates. revelation of the righteous judgment of God [16] on the day when…God will judge the secrets of men… § But, Paul! I’m a GOOD Person! § “Good” People Are in Trouble Too! (Ch. 2) § God Most Certainly Will Judge (2: 2, 3, 5, 16)

The Problem with “Good People” § A Judgmental Attitude (v. 1 -4) § “You’re right Paul, those are bad people!” (v 1) § Did you know the “good person” is selfcondemned? (v 1 b) § God uses HIS standards of Judgment (v 2) You may be saying, "What terrible people you § I. e. , HIS Sense of Truth, not YOURS. have been talking about!" – Romans 2: 1 a (NLT) But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should punished, are judgment condemning Now webeknow that you God's yourself , forthose you dowho these same things against dovery such things is. – Romans 2: 1 b (NLT) based on truth. Romans 2: 2 (NIV)

Our Sense of Judgment:

Someone Else’s Sense of Judgment: Arrrrgh !!

God’s Sense of Judgment: Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. Romans

The Problem with “Good People” § A Judgmental Attitude (v. 1 -4) § “You’re right Paul, those are bad people!” (v 1) § Did you know the “good person” is selfcondemned? (v 1 b) § God uses HIS standards of Judgment (v 2) § If you agree SOMEBODY should go to Hell, then you agree YOU should go to Hell. (v 3) Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too? Romans 2: 3 (NLT)

“But I Don’t Believe in Hell” ! § Not a convincing argument. § What should God do to these men? 1. Nothing? 2. Reward? 3. Apologize? 4. Judgment? They are fully aware of God's death Worsefor yet, theywho encourage penalty those do theseothers to doyet them, – Romans 1: 32 (NLT) things, theytoo. go right ahead and do them anyway – Romans 1: 32 a (NLT)

The Problem with “Good People” § A Judgmental Attitude (v. 1 -4) § “You’re right Paul, those are bad people!” (v 1) § Did you know the “good person” is selfcondemned? (v 1 b) Rotten-Egg § God uses HIS standards of Judgment (v 2) Omelette § If you agree SOMEBODY should go to Hell, Theology then you agree YOU should go to Hell. (v 3) § By God’s standards, only 1 sin means Hell (Jas. 2: 10) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. James 2: 10 (NASB-U)

The Problem with “Good People” § A Judgmental Attitude (v. 1 -4) § A Problem of Pride (v. 5) § But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God – Romans 2: 5 (NASB-U) An unrepentant heart is a PROUD heart before God.

The Problem with “Good People” § A Judgmental Attitude (v. 1 -4) § A Problem of Pride (v. 5) § Found Guilty By God’s Law (v. 6 -8) who will render to each person according to his deeds: There will be tribulation and distress for every soul to those byevil, perseverance doing of man whowho does of the Jewinfirst andgood alsoseek of for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; the Greek, to those who are ambitious and do not butbut glory and honor andselfishly peace to everyone who the but first obeyand unrighteousness, wrath doesobey good, totruth, the Jew also to the Greek. and indignation. Romans 2: 6 -8 Romans (NASB-U) For there is no partiality with God. 2: 9 -11 (NASB-U)

The Problem with “Good People” § A Judgmental Attitude (v. 1 -4) § A Problem of Pride (v. 5) § Found Guilty By God’s Law (v. 6 -11) § Which includes thoughts and motives (v. 16) “on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. ” – Romans 2: 16 (NASB-U) say to you that everyone who looks at a but I “You have heard washas saidalready to the people long woman with lustthat forither "So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out ago, 'Do not adultery murder…But anyone who says, 'You committed with her in his heart. and throw it away… Matthew 5: 29 (GW) fool!' will 5: 28 be (NASB-U) in danger of the fire of hell!” Matthew – Matthew 5: 22 (NIV)

The Problem with “Good People” § A Judgmental Attitude (v. 1 -4) § A Problem of Pride (v. 5) § Found Guilty By God’s Law (v. 6 -11) § Found Guilty By Your OWN Law (v. 12 -15) For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish They demonstrate that God's law isthe written without the Law, and all who have sinned under Law will For in that which you judge another, you …For their own consciences either accuse be judgedthem, by the Law; for it isown not the hearers of the Law within for their consciences either condemn yourself; for you who judge practice them orbefore tell them they are doing what is right. who are just God, but the doers of the Law will be accuse them or tell them they are doing what – Romans 2: 15 (NLT) the same things. justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do is –right. Romans 2: 1 b (NASB-U) Rom. 2: 16 b God judge thenotsecrets of. Law, instinctively the things of will the Law, these, having the – Romans 2: 15 (NLT) are a law tohearts themselves… men’s

The Problem with “Good People” § A Judgmental Attitude (v. 1 -4) § A Problem of Pride (v. 5) § Found Guilty By God’s Law (v. 6 -11) § Found Guilty By Your OWN Law (v. 12 -15) § God Will Not Be Placated (v. 17 -24) § Rituals are Useless (v. 25 -28) The ceremony of [baptism] is worth something only if you obey God's law. But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than someone [unbaptized]… In fact, unbaptized people who keep God's law will be much better off than you [Catholics/Methodists/etc] who are [baptized] and know so much about God's law but don't obey it. – Romans 2: 25 -27 (NLT, edited by Keith)

What Works With God? § Something Internal (v 28 -29) § If you KNOW Christ. For he is not a [Christian] who is one § Matthew 7: 22 “I never knew outwardly, nor is [baptism] thatyou!” which is outward in the flesh. But he is a [Christian] who is one inwardly; and [baptism] is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. – Romans 2: 28 -29 (NASB-U)

What Works With God? § Something Internal (v 28 -29) § If you KNOW Christ. § Approaching Him By Grace. (2: 4) Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2: 4 (NIV) § Approach as in Luke 18: 9 § – “Be merciful to me, the sinner!” § Ephes. 2: 8 -9 “…so that no one may boast. ”

What Works With God? § Something Internal (v 28 -29) § If you KNOW Christ. § Approaching Him By Grace. (2: 4) § Means: Living By Grace. § See Matthew 18: 23 ff Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience… – Romans 2: 4 (NIV)