The Gift of Repentance

This morning we enter a new chapter in our study of Romans… literally! 😁

Romans 2:1–11 CSB
1 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. 3 Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. 6 He will repay each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness. 9 There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no favoritism with God.

The wrath of God and how that punishment has played out – which we still very much feel the effects of today. And that judgement is on on whom?

Romans 1:18–20 CSB
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.

As a result, people – those people who suppress the truth and fail to acknowledge God as without excuse.

Aren’t you glad that you are not like THOSE people? I mean the way reject God and live for their own selfish pleasures! What a petty way to live, right? It’s awkward to even be around them, isn’t it? When they come to their senses they will see that God’s way is the best way and will finally know what it really means to love God and others.

That is probably the attitude the Jews in the church of Rome would have had because Paul was certainly speaking about the Gentiles. I am sure none of US would ever truly feel like that, would we?

I digress… let’s get back to the passage in chapter 2:

Romans 2:1 CSB
1 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse…

Everyone who judges is without excuse. What?! Wait a minute. Last week Paul said that those that rebel against God were without excuse. Now, Paul is saying that everyone of us – you and me – if we judge others are without excuse.

How can Paul say that? I am certainly NOT like those other people. I do not do those things that they do and I am not a God-hater, I love God. How can Paul say that I am like them?

The key is in the THEREFORE. Therefore goes back to 1:18

Romans 1:18 CSB
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,

When you or I become the judge of others, we suppress the truth that God is the Judge. We act unrighteously when we judge others.

BUT… I thought we are commanded to “judge a righteous judgement”, right?

John 7:24 CSB
24 Stop judging according to outward appearances; rather judge according to righteous judgment.”

That was a rebuke by Jesus to the religious leaders who judged by outward appearances. What should people be judged by? Their HEART, right? Who is able to know the heart of a woman – certainly not a man! 😁And who can know the heart of a man? God alone (1 Sam 16:7). So who is the only one that can truly judge a righteous judgement? God.

-> When we judge others we suppress the truth about God being the only judge.

Therefore also goes back to 1:21

Romans 1:21 CSB
21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

When we judge others we do not honor God as the One who is the Judge, nor do we show gratitude for what he has done for us through Jesus.

THEREFORE when we judge, we are just as guilty as those who we talked about last week in chapter 1.

I think the way the NIV captures this thought is really powerful in verse 3:

Romans 2:3 NIV
3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

When we, mere human beings, put ourselves in the place of God, we have acted just like those who face the wrath of God in chapter 1. We have elevated ourselves to the place of gods.

OK, we better look at the group of verses together:

Romans 2:1–3 CSB
1 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. 3 Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment?

Reminder -> Paul is writing to the church in Rome. If I didn’t know any better, I might think that Paul thinks that church people can be very judgmental?

In the first 3 verses the word “judge” shows up 6 times! That is dense! Some might think that the density of a word is directly proportionate to how dense the audience is… but I am not sure there is a math equation here.

Romans 2:1–3 CSB
1 Therefore, every one of you who judges (κρίνω) is without excuse. For when you judge (κρίνω) another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge (κρίνω), do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment (κρίμα) on those who do such things is based on the truth. 3 Do you think—anyone of you who judges (κρίμα) those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? (κρίμα)

Paul created an argument that cannot be refuted. If Paul started with vs 3 “Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment?” the listener could say, “Good thing I am NOT like them and DO NOT do the same things.” But Paul started with “Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.”

We “do the same things”, Paul says. But we do not see it, do we? Jesus pointed this out:

Matthew 7:1–5 CSB
1 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use. 3 Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.

Jesus did not command us judge a righteous judgement, he told us not to judge.

SINCE you do the same things do you think you will escape the same judgement? Of course not, because we “know that God’s judgement… is based on the truth”.

After the fist chapter, we are, or should be, convinced that God’s judgements are true – they are based upon truth, and that truth is universal and does not change in light of culture.

So, being a Jew or being a Gentile, both cultural labels, does not change God’s truth, NOR does it change the application of that truth.

• Civilian or military -> does not change absolute truth
• Married or single -> does not change absolute truth
• North American or South American -> does not change absolute truth
• Baptist or Catholic -> does not change absolute truth

And the TRUTH is that God will judge all those people we talked about in chapter 1 – the ones who were handed over to their own hearts, evil desires and corrupt minds. And he will judge those who judge others.

That list that was given last week was pretty much targeted to the Gentile. The non-Jewish audience that did not know God previously. But we must be honest that not everyone who rejects God acts like that list. That is a extreme list in many ways.

What about the moralist?

What about the moralist? What about those people that choose to live up to high moral standards? Or those that spend the majority of their lives serving others with humility?

You might be thinking, “Surely those people will not face the same judgement as the pedophile, right?

What about the religious?

What about those that lives according to the religious laws? What about those that were born in the church? Those that have memorized scripture, lived good lives and tried to live up to the standards of the Bible?

You might be thinking, “Surely those people will not face the same judgement as the terrorist, right?

Let’s continue reading and see if we find the answer:

Romans 2:6–10 CSB
6 He will repay each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness. 9 There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

Paul says there are 2 groups of people – those who live for a higher purpose “good works” and those that are “self-seeking”. Those that are righteous and those that are unrighteous. Those that are obedient, and those that are disobedient. As you look at those two groups of people, you see that they live for different things and receive different rewards.

It does not matter if you are Jew or Gentile, the same rules apply. The same standard of being judged by the truth apply.

This set of verses is a unit that forms what is called a chiasm. It follows a pattern to help make a point:

A – He will repay each one according to his works

B – eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality

C – but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness

C – There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek

B -but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek

A – For there is no favoritism with God

In the middle we have those that are self seeking. Their reward: affliction and distress. We get that, right? It has been a big enough topic in Paul’s letter so far.

Outside that group are those that do good and seek glory, honor and immortality. Their reward: glory, honor, and peace.

SURELY Paul is saying that those that live good lives will not face judgement, right? If you connect the two “B” of that chiasm, those that persistently do good will receive glory, honor and peace.

From these verses you might think that it is possible for someone to work their way into heaven. The Jews thought so. “Of course we are persistently doing good and seeking glory, honor and immortality through our good works. SO of course God will not judge me. I have the law and I keep the law.”

It might seem like that on the surface of these verses. But Paul is very clear later in Romans and in his other writings that we are not saved by works, but by faith in Jesus. So when we come to a set of verses like these we need to ask why would Paul make a claim like this?

I grew up going to church. When I was in high school I led 2 youth groups, co-led a boys ministry, sang in a gospel quartet and attend another youth group and church faithfully. I went to Bible college and married a godly woman. I have been a pastor for 35 years. SURELY, I will not be judged like “those” people, right?

The TRUTH is that NONE OF THOSE things will prevent me from facing the judgement of God.

• not church attendance
• not giving to the poor
• not reading my bible
• not serving my church or community

These verses are a trap. I need to point that out.

If I said, “There is 1 Million Dollars waiting for anyone who can quote the entire Bible without making a mistake”. How many of you think that it could be possible for someone to do that? [possibly] What if the fine print said that you had to quote it in the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic – do you still think it is possible? [not likely]. Now, what if the fine print continued and read “And this must be done in one breath”. [impossible]

It appears that Paul is saying that those that try hard enough to do the things that please God will be rewarded with eternal life. And he IS saying that.

IF you and I could keep our hearts and mind on God all the time, and focus on his glory, his honor and his kingdom, then surely we would be welcomed. But there is no one that is good enough other than Jesus. That is why he had to come!

God will repay each one according to his works – for there is no favoritism with God.

God will repay each one. No one is off the hook. And when he does that he will not show favoritism. OK, let’s quickly clear the air on something:

God does choose favorites.

God chooses whom He wants. He hand picked Abraham. He hand picked Mary – and we read Luke 1:28 “And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”” God hand picked Paul.

God does not show favoritism.

But when it comes to holding people accountable to his Holy standards, and judging based upon His truth and what people do with Jesus, there is no favoritism. The same standard is applied to all. Period.

Comparing: I can always find someone that is a worse sinner than me. I can always find someone that is a holier saint than me. God’s justice is not poured out on anyone who falls below a certain sainthood score. God’s judgment will come upon us all. That is our trajectory.

You and I do not need to point out to God that others have sinned – he knows that! Of course they have. WE ALL HAVE. That is the point that Paul is continuing to drive home.

Solomon, the wisest man who elver lived, wrote this:

Ecclesiastes 7:20 CSB
20 There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.

Paul said that those “who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality… will be rewarded.” Solomon reminds us that there is no one on earth that fits that bill!

God will judge ALL in truth, and the TRUTH is that we all deserve judgement. Amen?

• Look at the person next to you and say, “You deserve judgement”.
• Now, bow your head, talk to God and say, “God, I deserve judgement”.

It is a different thing, isn’t it?

Verses 4& 5 are the key verses to me and where I want us to land today:

Romans 2:4–5 CSB
4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.

It might seem like Paul is fixated on judgement and the wrath that is being stored up for us on “on the day of wrath”. But that is NOT his main goal. The value in understanding our sinfulness is that it softens our heart to be willing to accept the gift of forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

We have talked about choices. Our choice is to have hard (unrepentant) hearts or soft (repentant) hearts.

Hardened hearts.

Paul is rebuking his readers because they have hardened and unrepentant hearts. Sadly, this is something the Jewish nation had a long history of:

Zechariah 7:12 CSB
12 They made their hearts like a rock so as not to obey the law or the words that the LORD of Armies had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore intense anger came from the LORD of Armies.

Their hard hearts caused them to not acknowledge God, and God’s anger came against them. The author of Hebrews brings in the history, and the work of Christ and leaves his readers with a challenge:

Hebrews 3:8–15 CSB
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors tested me, tried me, and saw my works 10 for forty years. Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.” 11 So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.” 12 Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. 14 For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. 15 As it is said: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

Do not harden your hearts is the challenge. The fruit of a hardened heart is disobedience to God. It is ignoring Jesus because you think you don’t need him or that you are good enough.

Soft hearts, right? Paul does not actually use that phrase. He uses “unrepentant” and “repentance” as the linking words. The fruit of a softened heart is repentance, and that is a gift from God.

The root of the word “repentance” is the word for “mind”. It means to change your mind. But it also requires action, because the decision you are making is about what you are going to live for.

The solution is a soft heart that is willing to confess our sin and our need for Jesus.

1 John 1:8–10 CSB
8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

We (and Paul) have spent a lot of time focusing on God as a judge. That might make us miss some very important words relating to God in verse 4:

Romans 2:4 CSB
4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

I think it is OK to add “riches” to each of those three words:

• riches of his kindness
• riches of his restraint
• riches of his patience

God is a just judge, but he is also patient, and because of his rich kindness, he is holding back his judgement for a time, for what purpose? So that we can repent.

Do we understand that as much as God is a judge and has the right to be angry, his a God of compassion and kindness. Not only did he pay for our sins by sacrificing Jesus, he has chosen NOT to take sinners out of the world, not to zap us into oblivion, but has shown restraint and patience so that we have more time to respond to his amazing grace.

SO, we have to choose – soft hearts or hard hearts?

Luke 18:9–14 CSB
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

This morning, I want to encourage you to experience the gift of repentance that God offers you. If you have never repented of your sins and accepted Jesus as your Savior, today is the day for that.

If you have been trapped by sin, struggling with the list from last week, come down and give it up to God.

Do not despise this rich gift God has given, and do not worry about what others think. Come forward and say, “God I deserve your judgment, but I come to ask for your mercy.”