Monday after Populus Sion, The Second Sunday in Advent
Posted on December 5, 2022 by under
Scripture: Romans 2:1-16 (NKJV)
2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Devotion
St. Paul asks some serious questions: Do you think you will escape the wrath of God? Do you despise the riches of His mercy and patience toward you? Do you not know He works to lead you to repentance?
The unfaithful do not care about these questions. Many people don’t care about God or what He says, so these questions are meaningless to them. Self-seeking hypocrites practice the double-standard that Paul condemns in these verses. They claim to care about God’s Word, they think they are righteous and justified, but their behavior shows otherwise. They despise others and fail to do good, even when it is their proper responsibility to do so.
It is the faithful who properly fear God and understand His righteous wrath. Those who are truly humble according to His power and Spirit are the ones who not only appreciate His grace and goodness, but also do that which is good and merciful in the hopes that even our enemies would repent.
Each of us should endeavor to consider our own sin and God’s benevolence toward us in Jesus Christ before we are quick to despise and condemn others. Our Savior still loves His enemies and works to bring them to repentance from their sins. As we are His people, forgiven and renewed in Him, He teaches us to do the same!
Prayer: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
