The Principles of God's judgment | Romans Ch 2 Bible Study

Father God, thank you for this time that we can spend reading and studying your Holy Word. Thank you for teaching us in this section about the principles of your righteous judgment. In Jesus's name, amen. 

The Principles of God's judgment

Today we will be discussing verses 5-11 of Romans chapter 2, as well as talking about the principles of God's judgment. As mentioned before, verses 1-11 are a section. This section specifically is about God's righteous judgment. In a previous episode I had talked also about God's Judgments, specifically regarding the tribulation period, the great white throne judgment, etc. 

In verse two we learn that God will judge according to truth. "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things."

In verse 5 we learn that there are degrees of punishment. 

"But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;"

The more and longer that a person resists the truth that they are a sinner, the more wrath they are accumulating for themselves. It's also interesting to note that the religious unbelievers will actually have an even greater damnation, because they refuse to see the truth about themselves (as sinners) and are also teaching false doctrines, keeping others from hearing the truth.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." Matt 23:14. This is true also in the dispensation of grace, for any unbelievers who teach false religion! They will get the worst parts of hell, if they never choose to believe the gospel of the grace of God. 

It's also important to understand that the reason why unbelievers aren't judged immediately at the Great White Throne after their death is because their works could be continually affecting other people's lives. For example, a false teacher could effect millions of people's beliefs for many thousands of years, as long as people keep reading, listening to or watching their teachings! Plus, other people will teach what they taught and on and on! Think about how many people have been deceived by "Buddha," Mohammed, Joseph Smith, etc or even by false Christian teachers like John Calvin, Kenneth Hagin, catholic Pope's, etc! If these people never believed the Gospel of the grace of God, they will get the worst parts of hell! If they were saved, much of what they taught (false doctrine) will be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ!

In verse 6 we learn that God will judge everyone by the same standard. "Who will render to every man according to his deeds:"

Verse 11 also tells us that God will judge everyone according to the same standard. "For there is no respect of persons with God."

God will also judge them according to how much truth they had been exposed to. Verse 12 (which we will study more in a future episode/blog post) says, "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;" 

God will also judge man's hearts. God knows our every thought, word and deed as well as our true intentions behind our every thought, word and deed! Verse 16 says, "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men (our hearts) by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."

This verse also tells us that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge. People might say, "but didn't Jesus say that He didn't come to judge?" (John 12:47). This is why rightly dividing is so important. The first time that the Lord Jesus Christ came was to be a savior, the Lamb of God. But the next time that He comes to the earth, he is going to judge! In fact, during his second coming (remember, the second coming is completely different from the rapture) the Lord will literally wipe out all unbelieving troops of the anti-christ. Rev 14:20 says, "And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs."

Paul Sadler of Berean Bible Society wrote, "Christ will crush the Antichrist’s forces of evil with merely a spoken word and the brightness of His coming. When He tramples His enemies in His almighty power, their blood will stain His garments (Isa. 63:2-4; Rev. 19:13). The blood from this innumerable host of godless unbelievers and their horses will run high to the horses’ bridles, according to the Apostle John, writing in the Spirit."

God will also judge according to Paul's Gospel. Paul's Gospel is how that Christ Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose again for our justification. If you are trying to be saved by your own human efforts, you will be judged and damned. But, if you simply believe the gospel of the grace of God (Paul's Gospel) without any works of any kind, you will be saved. As Les Feldick used to say, we are saved by grace through faith alone PLUS NOTHING. 

Now let's read verses 5-11.

5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

In the next episode/blog post, we will discuss these verses more again in detail. 

Thank you Father God for showing us the truth in your word rightly divided, including the truth about judgment. Thank you also that through simple faith in Christ's death, burial and resurrection as atonement for our sins, we are saved and given eternal life! In Jesus's name, amen.