ABUNDANT LIFE VISION.
JUDGMENT. Romans 2:2-11
And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. [3]Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? [4]Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? [5]But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. [6]He will judge everyone according to what they have done. [7]He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. [8]But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. [9]There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. [10]But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. [11]For God does not show favoritism. NLT.

Dear friends, I bless the name of the Lord for the opportunity he has given us to read his word this morning. One of the things that leaves me in awe of God is how timely his words are. A few days ago, I saw a movie (The moment you wake up dead), some of the characters in the movie asked a question which is; “Am I a sinner because I sin or I am a sinner because I was born that way?” The question is followed with if the latter part of the question is the truth, why should God judge me for the way I was born. It is essentially saying that what gives God the right to judge us for being born as sinners.

The truth is we are born with sinful nature. The sinful nature came through the fall of Adam in the garden. Adam introduced sin into the nature of men through his fall. That’s not the fault of God but the fault of the first man who allowed himself to be deceived by Satan. Romans 5:17-19: For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. [18]Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. [19]Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. NLT. We are born sinners because of Adam’s nature in us but God prepared a plan to rescue us from the nature of sin by introducing the law to us to reveal our sins to us. The purpose of the law was to show us our weaknesses. Romans 5:20: God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. NLT.

Afterwards, God introduced grace to us that we have access to because of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, God is a God of process, our redemption would not have made sense of he had sent his son immediately after the fall of man because we would not understand fully the reason for our redemption. That is why he started with the law to show us our sinful nature and show us that our sinful nature leads us into the practice of things that we don’t want to do despite knowing that it is wrong. With this, we can rely on the life of Christ we receive at the new birth to live above sin. Romans 7:21-25: I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. [22]I love God’s law with all my heart. [23]But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. [24]Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? [25]Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. NLT.

At this juncture, you can see that God is just with the way he planned our salvation. This with the fact that he had given salvation to both Jews and Gentiles is proof that he shows no favoritism and only a judge who has a track record of lack of favoritism is fit to judge the world. Romans 2:11.

HOW DOES THE JUDGMENT OF GOD LOOK LIKE?
Our text in Romans 2 makes reference to sinful nature listed in Romans 1:28-32: Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. [29]Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. [30]They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. [31]They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. [32]They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. NLT. These are the people who will face the wrath of God as they have not utilised the grace for repentance and salvation made available for them. They will face the wrath of God irrespective of who they are, either Jews or Gentiles.

However, judgment does not only mean punishment, it can also mean reward. When we hear judgment, we tend to look at the negative side but it has a positive side. The positive side is that those who live their lives for God would be rewarded with eternal life. Romans 2:10.

Therefore, if you want to receive the life of God by saying yes to Christ, say this prayer with me; Lord Jesus, I confess you as my Lord and saviour today, please save me and be my lord and I will be your witness till the end. Amen. If you have recited the prayer wholeheartedly, I congratulate you and I welcome you to the family of God. Make sure you join a bible believing church as you start your journey in Christ.

God bless you.