The Bad News

Introduction

The church in Rome is divided. After five years of Jewish forced exile from the city of Rome, Jews are returning. During those five years, Gentiles have taken over leadership roles. With the return of the Jews there is a lack of harmony between the two groups. Paul writes to heal the rift. As Frank pointed out, Romans is about the gospel—the good news that God has intervened in the world to deal with sin. The effect of good news is greater when there is bad news first. None of us like the bad news. Bad news creates uncertainty. But the uncertainty of bad news brings relief when good news is shared.

We prefer good news, but bad news makes us appreciate the good news more. Paul writes to express good news, but first he gives bad news so that the good news is more fully appreciated. Paul writes to give the bad news to the Gentiles first (chapter 1) and then he writes about the bad news to the Jews (chapter 2). The good news starts in chapter 3. As readers and hearers, the bad news makes us uncomfortable. It brings a sense of dread and uncertainty. It can even make us feel hopeless. That is good. For it is only when we feel hopeless that good news brings relief. When it appears that we are without options, God becomes the only option. It is in the struggle that we find God. It is in the depth of despair that we are open to possibilities and options. We will look at first part of Romans 2. Paul is addressing the Jewish audience. It is a reality check about how bad sin is and the judgment that comes. It isn’t intended to make his readers feel good. But good news is coming.

Judgment

Paul is writing to believers and followers of Jesus. Strange that believers have to be reminded of the truth about their sin. Strange that believers need to have the truth about God’s judgment revealed to them as if they are not followers of Jesus. But then the point is to convince both Jews and Gentiles of their common need for Jesus. In chapter one, Paul reveals the truth that God allows choice and when sin is chosen rather than seeking Christ, all kinds of immoral and indecent living occurs. At the end of chapter one, Paul admits that people engage in sin and depravity and they endorse others who engage in sin and depravity.

These Gentile sinners know that there is a better way. They do not want to be the object of murder, deceit, maliciousness, but they will certainly engage in such to get what they want. Paul understands the heart of one who does not know God nor seek God. It is an ugly image. And as Paul writes to the Gentiles he reminds them of the mind that is not set on God. But then Paul abruptly turns to the Jews and points out their own hypocrisy. You can almost hear how the Jews are applauding Paul’s words. Coming back to Rome after a five year absence, things are different. The Gentiles have made things a bit too easy. They are not as stringent about foods. These Gentiles need to be more cautious about any number of things. Jewish absence has resulted in Gentiles not adhering to God’s law passed down through Moses and fulfilled through Jesus.

So Paul now attacks the Jewish mind. He tells them the bad news about their own beliefs. The Jews were God’s elect people. From the time of Abraham, the people of God had been taught that they were God’s special people. They were taught that special privilege carried with it special responsibility. At the base of Mt. Sinai as the law was given to the people they pledged their love and commitment to God. God promised to provide for his people and in return he expected his people to honor him with their lives. But the biblical history of the Jewish people is filled with one episode after another of their struggle to maintain their commitment. It seems they failed more than succeeded.

And yet even in their failure, they remained God’s chosen people. As you read through the prophets you begin to notice that Israel took their relationship with God for granted. They assumed that they would always be God’s people and presumed that God would always honor them. So Paul begins chapter two with verse one. “You who judge don’t have anything to talk about. You are just as guilty as those who do all these evil things.” Having been treated well by God’s kindness, the Jews have presumed upon that relationship. They have taken that relationship for granted. They believe that they are better than others and that their upright moral lives gives them the right to judge others.

Look at verse 12. The Gentiles will be judged apart from the law. In verses 14-15, Paul elaborates that the Gentiles have an awareness of the law and actually live by it. God has created that sense of right and wrong within them. And they will be judged accordingly. Paul continues in verse 12 that the Jews who are under the law will be judged by the law. Here’s the problem. They have already broken the law and God’s wrath (verse 5) is being stored up against them for judgment. This is bad news. Jews hearing this read to them might think, “Wait! I’ve kept most of the law. Surely God can overlook the parts I haven’t kept?!” Such a cry of desperation reveals that the law is unyielding. The law ceases to be the law if God overlooks parts of it for your benefit. Additionally, the sacrifice of Jesus means nothing if God ignores parts of the law.

Paul’s point is summarized in 3:20—no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law. Paul writes to the Jew that being right most of the time means you have not kept the law. So what does he mean in verses 7 and 10? Good done to seek honor, glory, and immortality results in eternal life. So is Paul contradicting himself? Whose honor and glory does one seek? If you judge another are you seeking God’s glory and honor or holding up the quality of your life as the standard for your judgment? The point for verses 7 and 10 leads to verse 11. Gentiles and Jews are going to be judged by the same standard. God’s chosen people do not have an eternal advantage over Gentiles. The Jews are imposing a standard on the Gentiles which God will now impose on them. In their spiritual smugness, they will be judged and found lacking. It is a picture of bad news.

So What?

Romans requires us to reexamine our own lives. Notice verse 16. Paul announces that God will judge all secrets through Jesus Christ as “my” gospel declares. My gospel suggests a contrast. Paul’s gospel or good news is different than the bad news that Jews are living under. Their bad news is ours too if we place ourselves under it. The Jews lived under the law. That means they had to keep all the law. Who can do that? This is bad news. Paul’s gospel is good news. Don’t miss “God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ.” To be judged through Jesus is preferable to being judged by the law. That’s the good news. To be judged by the law is to be found lacking. No one keeps the law. To be judged by Jesus is to find security and assurance. It isn’t that Jesus overlooks the secrets. It isn’t that an easier standard is used. It is that the judgment isn’t based on my failure. The judgment is based on Jesus’ work.

So what is the response to that? See verse 4. Repentance. God’s kindness is designed to bring us to an attitude which wants to change life, conduct, and thought to more align with God’s view. God shows his kindness, patience, and tolerance so that we will have a change of heart and mind. Paul says some presume upon that kindness to judge, but that isn’t God’s intent. Especially for those who have benefitted spiritually from God’s kindness there is no room for presumption but only for repentance.

God’s kindness, tolerance and patience doesn’t lead to rejection. I can do this on my own. I’m not a bad person. I’ll keep the rules and show that I am good. As Christians we are to be assured in our relationship with God. It is not tenuous or fickle. But there is a difference between assurance and presumption. Assurance leads to repentance and a lessening of self. Presumption leads to judgmental attitudes.

“Treat everyone like they are a potential Christian.” Instead of judging people. Instead of looking down our noses at others. Instead of elevating ourselves while pressing others down, “look at others as a potential Christian.” When we do then we will come closer to God’s intention. And when we do then we will better understand God’s kindness.

God shows no favoritism. Judgment can either be through your effort to keep the law or through Jesus. I know which one I want. Invitation.

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