Romans 2:1-29

Paul says in verse 2 of Romans chapter 2 "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things." In other words, Paul was saying: "Look here, you self-righteous, fault finding, sin pointing, fruit inspectors Jews, and some of you Gentiles. The people that you are accusing of doing all of these things that I just wrote to you about in chapter 1 verses 18 through 32, and that you yourselves are also guilty of, have surely been judged according to the truth of the law of Moses. However, the goodnews is that Christ has fulfilled the law and all have been forgiven of their sins through the shed blood of Christ."

Friends, there was a time that I isolated this verse and used it as a witnessing tool on the streets to let people know that the judgment of God was coming and unless they turned from the wicked works that Paul had mentioned in verses 18 through 32 of Romans chapter 1, God was going to hand them over to their own sins, and judge them to hell. I was one of the best 'out of context, hell, fire and brimstone' street preachers that ever hit the religious legalistic stage of hypocrites. Friends, if we read verse 1 of chapter 2 and compare it with verse 3 of chapter 2, then we can make sense of verse 2 of chapter 2.

Are you with me? Look at what verse 3 of chapter 2 says: "And do you Jews think that you will be escaping the judgment of the law of God (Moses) by judging those who are doing the things mentioned in chapter 1 verses 18 through 32, when you are doing the very same things that you are accusing them of?" Friends, these are about some of the best verses to use when speaking with people who are bound by legalism. This is where truth meets the lie face to face and tells the judgmental, self-righteous legalist to put an egg in their sock and beat it.

I always keep these verses in mind when speaking with legalistic religious people who take pleasure in pointing out other people's faults and sins. Friends, when we preach the Gospel of God in light of 'good gets good and bad gets beat', we are "despising the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; (of the grace of God) not knowing that the goodness of God is what has led us all to repentance "(a change of mind). Romans Chapter 2 verse 4. What is it that leads people to a change of mind? Is it the wrath of God, or is it the goodness, forbearance and long-suffering of God?

Friends, if its the goodness of God that leads people to a change of mind, then why is Evangelical Christianity, their doctrines and pulpit preaching the wrath of God? Anytime anyone preaches grace and law together, they are preaching wrath and not grace. Don't be fooled! It is either grace or wrath, but it can't be both. The preaching of law and grace together will lead people to develop hardness of heart and find themselves under the same wrath that the law came to judge all men for. The more we sit in judgment against those who Christ has died for and redeemed, the more we are found guilty and the more we condemn ourselves. verse 5.

The law shows no compassion, mercy nor goodness. Unless the law is lived and done perfectly it becomes wrath to the individual who fails to keep it perfectly. That's why Jesus had to fulfilled the law. The law was a finger pointing, fault finding two face system. The law was only good and beneficial if kept perfectly. The law will harden the heart, and lead us to a life of judgmentalism. If God were to be still dealing with man through the written in ink and carved on stone law, then God "Would have to judge every single person according to their deeds," both good and bad. verse 6.

The Evangelical Christian Jews of today -- as I call them -- are no different from the Jews of Moses days. If the Evangelical Christian Community ever gets to read these verses in the entire letter of Paul to the Romans, in context, they will see that the letter is being addressed more to them, than to the world that they often accuse of sin. There is just so much that I can teach here. However, the point that I am trying to make is this "In Christ Jesus there is no longer Jew, Gentile, male, female, bad, good, barbarian, wise, unwise, sinner or saint for we are all one in Him since He nailed the law that divide us to His cross." No more judgment for sin.

No more fault finding with God. No more hell and torment. No more sins being remembered. All in Christ. All one family. All forgiven. All redeemed. All free from the law of Moses. Simply because it was the goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering of God that has led all to a change of mind in Christ. Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus! Stick around because it gets better. Are you enjoying these teachings? Is the grace of God setting your heart free and softening your heart to see and feel His unconditional love? Let me hear from you.

To be continued....

Grace N Peace

Eddie Narvaez