Daily Manna and Scriptural Reading In The Morning

THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023

TEXT: Romans 2:1-16

1. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

2. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.

3. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same thing, that you will escape the judgment of God?

4. Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

5. But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

6. who “will render to each one according to his deeds”

7. eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immorality;

8. but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath,

9. tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

10. but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

11. For there is no partiality with God.

12. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

13. (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

14. for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,

15. who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thought accusing or else excusing them)

16. in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

(New King James Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVOURITISM

The scene in this text is of court proceedings. The judge is seated and the accused have all taken their positions on the witness stand.

The Jews and the Gentiles stand accused because they don’t have any excuse for preferring ungodliness. Imagine this to be a human court where the accused are privileged to hire the services of lawyers. Arguments would be presented with documentation to support why they should not be found guilty.

This brings to mind when Adam and Eve thought they could escape God’s judgement. Interestingly, they even attempted to justify their rebellion.

In the case of Paul here, the Jews could have easily excused themselves by claiming that they are the children of the covenant while the Gentiles could have said that the Law was never given to them.

How often do you find yourself trying to justify your acts of rebellion against the righteous demands of God through rationalization? God’s righteous command is for everyone to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour while those who accepted Him must live by faith.

God’s kindness and patience must never be mistaken for weakness or indifference. Be warned!

QUESTION: How often have you deliberately chosen the path of rebellion, thinking that you will escape God’s wrath?

PRAYER: Do you have a sin to confess because you have taken God’s grace, mercy and patience for granted? Talk to God about that right now.