Tuesday 17th March
Read Romans 2:1-4
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realising that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (NIVUK)
Our failure to recognise our own sin does not make God’s verdict inescapable. Just like a law court – ignorance is no excuse. But Paul is quite clear on this matter. It is not ignorance of right and wrong because those who condemn the sins of others understand this fully. What Paul is reminding his readers of is that ignorance of our own sinfulness, blindness to the standards we impose instinctively on others, and which we fail to meet, is no defence against the righteous judgment of a holy God.
What Paul also wants his readers to understand, and those readers include us, is that the apparent lack of consequence for those who look down upon those ‘other sinful folk’ does not mean that we ourselves are without sin and secure in our standing. It means that we have been graciously granted the opportunity to recognise our sin and repent.
Depraved sinner or condemned judger, either way God is gracious to us for as long as we live without acknowledging Him or recognising our sinful selves.
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21) (NIVUK)
