What is required to pass God’s judgment?
(Romans 2:1-29; Eccl. 12:14; Gal. 3:27) Blog Oct. 8-14, 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The deacon Stephen stirred up the Jewish establishment by teaching that the true tabernacle was in heaven and not in Jerusalem, that the law of Moses had met its fulfillment, and that the people of God were Abraham’s children of faith and not those of blood. Saul could not prove Stephen wrong and after securing his death was convicted that Stephen was right. When as Paul the Apostle he taught the same things Stephen taught he met opposition. The question concerning keeping the law of Moses was taken up at the first council of the Christian church and it was decided that the law of Moses was no longer a requirement for God’s people. The covenant they entered at Sinai was obsolete and God’s people were now those who had been called out of the world and into Christ. Paul expounded on this truth in his letter to the Galatians. In his letter to the Romans he seeks to make clear what the Gospel is, how it is accepted and what the results will be. In chapter 1 we have seen that the theme of this letter is the Gospel of God which brings salvation and that to refuse this Gospel will bring damnation. Such a Gospel demands a reckoning for those who accepts its benefits and for those who refuse them.
The judgment of God (Rom. 2:1-16; 1:32; Eccl. 12:14; John 5:24; Acts 17:31; 1 Pet. 4:17)
1. What event predicted by Paul determines which of the destinies of Romans 1 will be yours?
2. What destiny is already determined for those who make the sins listed in Romans 1:28-32 their habit?
3. When is the judgment mentioned in Romans 2 to take place?
4. Will any pertinent evidence be lacking in this judgment?
5. What can we learn from the phrase, “treasurest up”?
6. Who is not included in this judgment?
7. What is the nature of the first phase of God’s judgment?
8. What, according to verse four, is required to pass God’s judgment?
9. What three aspects of God’s character should lead a person to properly prepare for judgment?
10. Besides examination of our life’s record what other phases does God’s judgment include?
11. With whom does God’s judgment begin?
12. By what standard will God judge?
13. Who will be justified and who will be condemned in God’s judgment?
14. Who is the judge in this judgment?
15. What phrase in this section shows that mercy is still available in this judgment?
Resting in the Law (Romans 2:17-24; Galatians 3:27)
16. Do those who know what the law says and teach it to others, necessarily do the law?
17. According to these verses of what law is Paul writing in Romans?
18. What is Paul saying that these teachers had? and what did they lack?
19. What does the world do when Christians boast in having the truth while not living in harmony with it?
The truly circumcised (Romans 2:25-29; 9:6; Gal. 5:1-6)
20. Of what was circumcision a sign?
21. What does Paul include in “keeping the righteousness of the Law”?
22. How should we regard a person who lacks the sign of the covenant yet observes the words of it?
23. What definition does Paul give of a true Jew?
24. In what should we be resting, rather than resting in the Law as Paul describes these Jews?
ANSWERS:1. The judgment of God; 2. Eternal death; 3. In the future; 4. No, not any; 5. That God keeps records & they are what is examined in this judgment; 6. No one – everyone is included; 7. Examination; 8. Repentance; 9. His goodness shown in common grace, his forbearance in not giving us what we deserve, & his longsuffering in giving us lots of time to repent of our sins; 10. Sentencing & execution; 11. His own people, the church; 12. God’s Ten Commandment Law; 13. Those who do good will be justified & those who do evil will be condemned; 14. Jesus himself; 15. “according to my gospel”; 16. No, not necessarily; 17. The Ten Commandment Law written by God himself; 18. They had the truth, the form of the Law but they lacked the spirit of the Law; 19. They blaspheme God; 20. It was a sign of being included in the Abrahamic covenant of grace; 21. He includes not only observing the form (the letter) of the Law but also observing the spirit of the Law; 22. As accepted by God — justified; 23. One who has the deeper meaning of the covenant sign, that is circumcision of the heart whether they are physical descendants of Abraham or not; 24. We should be resting (trusting) in Christ – not resting (trusting) in our obedience to the Law.