Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Our world is filled with little thrones where little judges render verdicts day and night. From social media to comments, there is not a second, day or night, when someone is not holding court and publicly judging others.

One day, all the little judges will stop their judging and stand before the Judge. To prepare for that day, there are five things Paul wants us to learn:

First, God alone judges rightly. Some things are wrong and need to be made right. That’s righteousness. Unjust things need to be made just. That’s justice. Righteousness and justice require judgment, but not from us. We don’t ever have all the facts, pure motives, or perfect justice, so we judge wrongly.

Second, God judges everyone. Those who don’t know Jesus think they should nominate themselves to be the judge of others. But the truth is, no one judges anyone else in the end. In John 5, Jesus says that the Father judges no one; all judgment is entrusted to the Son. Jesus will sit on a white throne to judge the world, and we will not be sitting on His lap to help Him out. Jesus knows everyone. Jesus knows everything. Jesus has got it all under control, and He knows exactly what He is doing.

Third, God is patiently kind, giving people ample opportunity to repent and avoid judgment. As we look at the world and all the problems, pains, and perils, we may wonder, Why is God not judging people? It’s not because He’s indifferent, but because He’s patient. He is a loving Father who works with us—His often stubborn and naughty children—to bring us to repentance, which is a change of mind. His kindness melts our hard hearts. Once we know that God is loving, gracious, merciful, and kind, we’re willing to own our sins and failures because He will help us. Just as God has been patient with us, we must learn to be patient with others. If you don’t turn to God, you will turn yourself into God. Repentance acknowledges, “I am not the solution; I am the problem. I need to be judged by God. I need not judge others. I am a sinner in need of a Savior.”

Fourth, you can store your treasures in heaven or expect torment in hell. Paul uses the same language for “storing up wrath for yourself ” that Jesus used regarding storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19). No one is getting away with anything, but rather storing up everything. If you love Jesus, you’ll live in obedience to God through the power of the gospel. Your reward will not come ultimately in this life, but it comes into the life that comes afterward. Those who reject Jesus and live in rebellion are storing up wrath, and their judgment in hell will absolutely and perfectly match their deeds on earth.

Fifth, be more concerned about yourself than others. We look at the world and see many problems, but we tend to be blind to our own. We spend so much of our time and energy worried, angry, and upset about other people. Don’t waste your time judging everyone else. Do invest your time judging yourself, so you will be ready for the day when both you and they stand before God for eternal judgment. When you stand before Jesus, you will not give an account for others’ lives, nor will they give an account for yours. We will each give an account of our lives individually. So, deal with yourself, and let God deal with them.

Today’s Reflection

In what areas of your life do you need to judge yourself instead of others?