2017-07-31

Godliness is Not in the Mind Only - Romans 2

Godliness is not in the mind only. Knowledge of the Laws without following actions still brings condemnation. There is nothing to be proud of if we just have the knowledge without action. We are just hypocrites. The best is to internalize the Laws within our heart and acting out in our bodies. True Godliness must be in our heart, mind, and body.
Romans 2 Mindmap:


Judging Fairly - Judging Others begins with ourselves
  • Pointing at others sins does not save us from our sins. We can distract and fool men but not God.

    • Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because of you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2:1Condemning Others does not excuse our sins.
      Others wrongful acts do not justify our wrongs.
    • We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 2:2God punishes the unfair judges
      • Do you suppose, O man--you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself--that you will escape the judgment of God? 2:3
    • Mat 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Delayed Judgement - Repent now before it is too late
  • Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 2:4God's delayed judgment does not mean God is not going to judge nor God is ignoring our sins. But rather, it is to give time for us to realize our sins.
  • But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 2:5Continuing in our sinful acts will just add up to God's wrath.
God's Judgment - Life for righteous and Wrath for evil
  • He will render to each one according to his works 2:6 impartially 2:11Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
  • Eternal life; 2:7
    • to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality,
  • Wrath and fury. 2:8
    • those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness,
  • Tribulation and distress
    • for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 2:9
  • Glory, honor, and peace
    • for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 2:10
How of Judgment - By the Disclosed Laws or Conscience
  • For God shows no partiality. 2:11
  • For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law,
    • Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves 2:14The moral sense of right and wrong is built in.
    • They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 2:15
  • all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 2:12
  • not the hearers of the law who are righteous but the doers of the law who will be justified. 2:13
Jesus Christ the Judge
  • on that day, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. 2:16
The Benefits of Jews - Knowledge of Laws & Wisdom
  • But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 2:17
  • know His will & approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 2:18
  • If you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 2:19
  • an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- 2:20
Justification is by Actions -Not by talking or teaching.
  • you who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 2:21
  • You say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 2:22
  • You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 2:23
  • For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." 2:24
Circumcision is of the Heart - Outward ceremonious action is useless
  • For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 2:25
  • So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 2:26
  • Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 2:27
  • For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 2:28
  • But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. 2:29
Summary
  • Knowing God's Laws is Good
    • It is wisdom to teach and guide us
    • But knowing is not a basis for righteousness. Nothing to boast about
    • Judging & teaching others the Laws begins with ourselves first
    • The Laws must be internalized in our heart with corresponding actions
    • Knowledge without Following Actions is useless; it brings shame instead.

Lim Liat (c) 31 July 2017

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