Carol J German

We are continuing on as we learn to rise up from the turbulent waters of this world and let God ignite the passion of Christ that lies within us. From Romans 2:15, we know that the laws of God are written on our hearts. God placed them there so we can find our way back to God.

Why are we needing to find our way back to Him? In our last study, we studied how sin causes us to be separated. A great chasm separates us from God. We need a way back home. We learned how sin angers God and we see what happens when we live in sin. We defile ourselves.

Today’s study lesson is a continuation of sin. It’s not a popular topic, but it is necessary. We will be misled, lied to and destroyed by the enemy if we don’t understand how we are sinful and what the repercussions are because of it. Be brave and read Romans 2:1-16. God gives us nuggets of gold in how to be led out of the dark. Christ is our key to bridging the chasm that separates us from God. In Him, we can freely walk on over and have fellowship with God. He greets us with open arms.

You will notice how God has altered the viewpoint from 1:18-32. We saw God’s anger in how we defile ourselves in such deplorable ways. Now, God is saying that we need to stop judging others.

QUESTION: According to verses 1-3, why does God say we should not judge others?

Since we are all guilty of sin, whether it be murder, slander, lying, anger, stealing, etc., we do not have the right to be each other’s referee. We are to leave it in the hands of God. Jump ahead to 3:23 to understand why none of us have a right to judge.

QUESTION: Study verse 4. What is God saying to you? What kind of God is He?

Having the understanding that God is kind, tolerant and patient with you should cause you to look up and let Christ unlock the door to your heart. “Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” God is giving you grace as He waits for you to follow Him.

QUESTION: Look at verse 5 and see what keeps us from allowing Christ to unlock the door? Read Revelation 3:20 for added insight.

God says that a day of anger is coming. He is going to reveal His righteous judgment. Jesus came the first time as the Lamb of God, to be the Savior of the world. He is coming back; this time as a lion. The Lion that will put sin and Satan in their place. “He will judge everyone according to what they have done.”

A NUGGET OF GOLD: What will God give to those who follow Jesus; see verse 7? What are you supposed to be seeking after?

Notice the first word from verse 8, “but”. There are those who choose to reject Christ.  God’s anger will be poured out on those who live for themselves, refuse to obey truth and live independent of God’s ways. Trouble and calamity follow worldly-minded people.

Again, we see the word “but” in verse 10. God has given man a way out from the perils of this world. Because of Jesus, God gives glory and honor and peace when we choose to do good.

ADDED INSIGHT: Look at Romans 12:21. It says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”

Notice how God talks about having no favorites between Jews and Gentiles. His love is for all people, from all walks of life. When we read verse 12, we see how God’s judgment is for all people.

A NUGGET OF GOLD: Stop and meditate on verse 13. This is a key verse in unlocking the door to abundant living with Christ. God is giving us the answer in how to come out of the dark. What is the golden nugget of truth?

We read that it is obedience, another unpopular topic but one that is necessary to talk about. Human nature fights this like tooth and nail. We want to be free to do what we want to do. But in reality, we become enslaved in this world and sin. We want to be free, but it’s the freedom we have in Christ that we are really thirsty for. The lures of this world pulls us away from our heart’s first love.

QUESTION: How can you see the ill-effects of being lulled away from God in the world? God is making 2020 the year of exposing sin. He truly is awakening us to have 2020 vision.

God is saying, “Wake up everyone from your worldly slumber and arise to walking with Me.”

In the Old Testament, Jews thought the Messiah was just for them, but God’s love was for all people. God was speaking of the Jewish mindset in verses 14-15. Gentiles also had the ways of God written on their hearts as well. Paul wanted everyone to understand that we all have within us a moral compass of right and wrong.

We can see by today’s society that many are ignoring this moral compass; especially in leadership roles.

Paul ends this passage with a message for today. “The day is coming when God, through Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life.” Look at Acts 10:42-43, Luke gives us instructions in what to do while we wait for Jesus to return. “Preach everywhere and testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all – the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name.”

It’s time to live mighty and free in Christ! Then, be about His business helping to set others free! We will then become a people united in love.