Scripture to Read: Romans 2:3–5
As God led Paul to write His Word, we know that God used Paul to point out the sin of the Gentiles in Romans 1. As God led Paul to continue to write, there were Jews who felt they were right in the sight of God because they were born Jews and they lived moral lives. The Jews believed their morality made them right with God. But, apart from a saving relationship with Christ, no one will escape the judgment of God. Apart from Christ, everyone deserves the wrath of God for our sins. God could not and cannot ignore the punishment sin deserves. That is why Christ came and took ALL of the punishment, ALL of God the Father’s wrath, on Himself while on the cross and paid the price in full for ALL sins through His death and the shedding of His blood (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22). All of humanity who refuse God’s gift of life through Christ rightly faces spiritual death. Moral people will NOT escape God’s judgment, for our morality always falls short of God’s perfection (Proverbs 14:12). In Romans 2:4, God gives us His Good News, “knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance.” God’s desire is not to strike people down as some portray Him. Instead, God is patient toward us (2 Peter 3:9), and He opens people’s eyes to see their sin so that they may repent (2 Timothy 2:25–26). People must respond and can either have their heart softened by the gospel or hardened by sin; the choice is theirs.
Challenge & Application
· Why does everyone deserve God’s wrath, and what has God done on behalf of all mankind?
· How do you respond to God’s kindness in repentance each day, and how are you choosing to walk in obedience to Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!