How Would God Judge Religious Folks?
2And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things…
6He will judge everyone according to what they have done…
11For God does not show favoritism…
Romans 2:2, 6, 11 (NLT)
Yesterday we started Romans 2 with a somber realization that even people who grew up in church, the religious folks, are also under judgment by God. Many of us sense the weight of judgment when that banner of our religious activities or heritage can no longer shelter us from the judgment of God. But how God would judge our life if He were to take a closer look right now? Romans 2 gives us three criteria of what we can expect:
1. God Judges Righteously (Romans 2:2): God’s judgment isn’t swayed by appearances. He digs deep, peering into the reality of our hearts and lives, unlike human judgment, which often stops at the surface. While we might manage to fool our peers and even ourselves with external piety, God sees beyond that. Remember the story Jesus told about the Pharisee and the tax collector? The Pharisee boasted about his religious acts, but the tax collector, who humbly acknowledged his need for mercy, was the one justified before God (Luke 18:9-14). This parable underscores that true righteousness isn’t about how religious we look but about how genuinely we live out our faith.
2. God Judges According to Deeds (Romans 2:6): Paul insists that our deeds, both seen and unseen, are the metrics in God’s evaluation. What we actually do matters deeply to Him. This should make us pause and reflect: Are our actions consistent with our beliefs? Are we living with integrity both in the public eye and in private? Consider someone like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who not only preached about the Christian faith but also lived it and died for it courageously during the Nazi regime in Germany. His life exemplifies that our deeds are a true testament to the depth of our faith.
3. God Judges Fairly (Romans 2:11): God doesn’t play favorites. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the church choir for decades or if you’ve just walked through the church doors—God’s judgment remains unbiased. He examines how we respond to the truth we know. Take Cornelius from Acts 10, for example. He was neither a Jew nor knowledgeable about Jewish Law, but his earnestness in seeking God, his prayers, and his alms were noticed by God, leading to a divine response that changed his life forever. Cornelius’ story is a powerful reminder that access to God isn’t about our religious status but about our heart’s posture toward Him.
As we reflect on these three aspects of God’s judgment—its righteousness, its basis in our deeds, and its fairness—let us be challenged to live with authenticity and integrity. Don’t find comfort not in our religious achievements, but in the grace and righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. For in the end, it is not our religious activities that define us, but our genuine response to the truth of the Gospel.
In light of God’s righteous, deed-based, and fair judgment, where are you finding your ultimate comfort and security? Can we rely on your religious achievements, if not then what can we rely on to face God’s judgment?
[The ideas for this week’s materials on Romans 2:1-16 were drawn from Dr. Constable’s commentary on Romans 2]
“
In light of God’s righteous, deed-based, and fair judgement, I find my ultimate comfort and security in Christ alone. As I look into the mirror of God’s Word, I see the depths of the depravity of my own heart, and recognize my need for Christ and His righteousness. Through faith in Him, and what He has done, my deeds begin to bear witness to His grace at work within me- which is far from complete but always progressing. I find that I am no better or worse than anyone else- merely another sinner in desperate need of our beloved Savior Jesus Christ. In Him is my one and only hope, and on Him alone can I rely to face God’s judgement.
Therefore, I long to proclaim along with Paul, that “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” (Galatians 2:20).
I prayed often to be of use and to join Him in His work but as He gives me tasks I find that I only want to do as much as it is comfortable for me and I still want to do for my family and myself first. So I say I want to do His work but He knows better what I really want and He revealed to me my true intentions and I feel shame. I feel that the Father teaching moments to be painful but also clarifying. I want to say I’m repentant but I wonder how long the lesson will hold and how quickly I will revert to my selfish nature.
Lord please forgive me my selfish self centered nature. Thank you for the lesson and I pray for Your wisdom to become a better son worthy of Your company.