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Pastor's Blog March 18, 2021
March 18, 2021
"View of God in Romans II"
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As we continue to consider the many things God shows us about himself in the Letter to the Romans, we encounter a strange statement made about repentance in the context of judging others: God's kindness is what leads us to repentance.
In Romans 2:1-3, Paul claims that people who pass judgment on those who commit his list of sins in Romans 1:18-32 do not judge rightly, because they themselves commit the same sins!
As Romans 2:1 states, "Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judged another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things" (NASB). While Paul is implying that believers who judge others for idolatry and sexual practices are guilty of committing the same sins (which changes the entire conversation about conservative Christianity and homosexuality), his primary point is that the very act of believers judging others condemns them: condemning others for their sins condemns you and makes you guilty of those very same sins in the eyes of God (Romans 2:1-3)!
But why would this be? Judging others might be somewhat unattractive, but why would judgmentalism automatically condemn you of the sins you decry? It probably has to do with verse 4: "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (NASB).
God doesn't lead us to repentance or conversion by condemning us or judging us worthy or unworthy. Instead, it is God's kindness that leads and draws us to repentance! God is most like himself when he is gracious and kind to us. And that is why God's judgment is just: because it isn't arbitrary or vindictive, but supremely moved and filled with his compassionate love and gracious kindness (Romans 2:5).
We are most like God when we imitate him in being forgiving, understanding, and kind. And we are the most satanic when we judge, condemn, and accuse others; after all, "Satan" is only a title that means "accuser," "condemner," or "enemy," rather than a proper name. Since the day of God's judgment will reveal his righteousness, a righteousness demonstrated by his kindness to us, let us continue to respond to God's kindness in repentance and turning to him.
God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
