Romans 2 is a wonderful chapter that contrasts with Paul’s description of unrighteous men. He articulates all the sins and ungodly behavior or those who do not honor God (Romans 1:21). Then, in Romans 2, Paul explains that we have no excuse. Every sin has been clearly laid out as detestable and worthy of God’s judgment. Every sin is we, His creation, missing the mark of what God wants for us. Sin feeds on sin to capture mankind and keep him separated from God. What strikes me, is Paul particularly calls out those of us who judge (Romans 2:1). We condemn ourselves when we pass judgment on those who commit the very sins that we commit.

First, Paul attacks one reason why we may do this. Do we suppose that when we judge others for the same sins that we commit, that we will escape God’s judgment (Romans 2:3)? If we accuse another of lust while lusting ourselves, that somehow God will not notice that same sin in ourselves? Maybe, as Paul suggests, there’s another justification. Perhaps, we presume on God’s kindness and forbearance? We are counting on God’s deep well of patience with us that he will just keep that patience flowing no matter what we do and no matter how long we do it (Romans 2:4). Paul explains that God’s patience and kindness to us is meant to turn us to repentance. Repentance means that we turn away from the sin we submitted to and walk away from it. Our God is not going to spring judgment on us at the first moment of weakness that we show. No, he is patient so that we can repent and change our path.

I’m struck when I think about this hitting me in my life. I have no excuse because I know what I’ve done and how my deeds are sinful. I have repented of those sins and continue to repent but I sometimes find myself right back in that same sin again; having to repeat the cycle. However, when I see another committing a sin that I’ve chosen to forget in my own life, I can be so indignant. My attitude has been critical and judgmental of another because I so clearly see their sin but forget that I have done the same, maybe worse. It takes a Godly relationship in my wife to remind me, “Don’t you know that you did the same thing? Don’t you remember?”

I am crushed. That is the hand of God touching me and reminding me of where I come from so I can be a better Christian to those around me. That is my Nathan (2 Sam 12:1-7a) moment. It is so easy to be self-righteous. Just like David, I need to have Godly people in my life reminding me that I am nothing without Jesus and His Holy Spirit in me. Even Jesus asked the question “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18). If Jesus said that, who am I to make any claim to be good?

Unfortunately, all too often, teachings stop here. We learn how weak, wrong, and reckless we are without seeing the other side of the coin. Sure, that is all true but don’t forget who we are IN CHRIST; those who have accepted Jesus as their savior and who give Him Lordship over their lives (from: https://onlyjesusministry.com/who-we-are-and-what-we-have-in-christ/):

• You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• You are complete in Him (Ephesians 2:5)
• You are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
• You are a child of God (1 John 3:1, John 1:12)
• You are righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:19)
• You are dearly loved by God (Colossians 3:12, 1 John 3:1)
• You are forgiven of all your sins (Eph 1:7, Col 2:13, 1 John 1:7)
• You are accepted in Him (Ephesians 1:6)
• You are redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13-14)
• You are blessed (Galatians 3:9, Ephesians 1:3)
• You are chosen (1 Thessalonians 1:4, Ephesians 1:4)
• You are called (2 Timothy 1:9)
• You are more than a conquerer (Rom 8:37)
• You are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)
• You are sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2)
• You are being changed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18)
• You are set free (John 8:31)
• You are healed by His wounds (1 Peter 2:24)
• You are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1)
• You are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
• You are free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)
• You are an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)
• You are reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18, Romans 5:10)
• You are joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17)
• You are under grace (Rom 6:15)
• You are dead to sin (Rom 6:2)
• You are alive with Christ (Eph 2:5)
• You are a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:18)
• You are seated with Christ (Eph 2:6)
• You are the light (Ephesians 5:8, Matthew 5:14)
• You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
• You are one with Christ (John 17:21, 1 John 4:17)
• You are strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10)
• You are strengthened with all power (Colossians 1:11)
• You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
• You are victorious (Revelation 12:11)
• You are enriched in everyway (1 Corinthians 1:5)
• You are never alone (Heb 13:5)
• You are owned by God (1 Cor 6:20)
• You are zealous for good works (Titus 2:14)
• You are priests and kings (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6)
• You are sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
• You are under God’s training and loving discipline (Hebrews 12:4-13, Titus 2:11-12)
• You are God’s possession (Ephesians 1:14)
• You are bought with a high price and the precious blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 1:19)