JUDGMENT!

Okay, in chapter 1 we had God's wrath PRESENTLY being revealed on earth, as God allows us to face the consequences of our sins. In chapter 2 the focus shifts to the wrath of God on the DAY when we all will stand before our Maker to be held accountable for our deeds.

The Day of the Lord (Day of Yahweh) is a common theme in the Old Testament. A quick reading of Amos 5:18-20, Isa. 24:19-23 and Zeph. 1:14-18 will give a quick orientation to this prophetic vision. God Himself is coming, and when he blows the whistle it will be everybody out of the pool! IF THIS IS TRUE...if all of human history is moving to a day when we will all, all nine billion of us, be called to stand before God...that's a terribly important thing to factor into life! Hold on to that thought...

As chapter 1 closed, we were feelin' pretty superior to those evil folks who murder, and slander, and do sexually perverted stuff...feeling much like the Pharisee in Jesus' parable who prays, "Thank you Lord that I'm not like that guy over there!" Maybe it shouldn't surprise us when Paul wheels on US and points a finger in our goody-goody faces. He aims his blast at pious Jews, or perhaps Gentiles who think they are righteous as well. Paul's whole point in 2:1-16 is that nobody should head toward Judgment Day feeling very cocky.

2:1-3 Your superior attitude is wrong; you are guilty of doing the same things you condemn others for doing.

2:4-5 Your presumption is wrong; just because judgment is delayed doesn't mean it's cancelled! In fact, you're just piling up more wrath for yourself. The Greek concept of justice and the Eastern vision of karma dovetail with the view here; the moral principle of the universe is building up pressure with each wicked act; on that day, all the chickens are coming home to roost!

2:5-16 Your presumption of special position is wrong!

If you think it's a comfort to hear that we will be judged impartially on our deeds (verses 6-8), is that really a good thing? I personally interpret Paul here as saying by this standard, NO ONE is going to make it. He will later say that explicitly; there is none righteous, no not one. Eternal life will not be earned by law-works by anyone. Period. Ever. Got it? Now, there is Biblical evidence that even believers will stand before a judgment, and at that judgment our works will be examined. The important thing to know about that is (1) believers will not meet their sins at any future judgment; Jesus already bore that guilt and it is gone. (2) Believer's lives and/or works will be made plain on that day, perhaps to confirm our salvation but certainly to establish rewards or ranking in the life to come. If that notion bothers you, you might want to set down your copy of Das Kapital and pick up your New Testament. It amazes some folks to learn that the degree of faithfulness in stewardship now will be reflected in levels of reward and responsibility then...but it is repeatedly taught. Pick up Bruce Wilkinson's little book, A Life God Rewards, for a quick intro to the Biblical data.

If you think your Jewish status guards you from judgment, think again (verses 9-11). More light means more responsibility, and your preference as a Jew simply means that judgment will START with you (I Peter 4:17).

If you think your lack of God's Torah law shields you from judgment, think again (verses 12-16). Whether you have God's law on a scroll or written into your heart, Jew or Gentile, you will be judged by that law.

If you think your status as a legally trained Jew shields you, think again (verses 17-24). You brag about being a teacher of others, but the bottom line is do you practice what you preach? The answer is no; even Jews are law breakers whose checkered lives bring dishonor to God.

If you think your circumcision somehow blocks you from judgment, think again (verse 25-29). Yes, the rabbis taught this; that the very fact of physical circumcision meant you could not go to Gehenna. But they were wrong; the outward, physical MARK or symbol means zilch if you do not have (1) the inner reality, circumcision of the heart, and (2) the outer fruit, a real life of obedience and law-doing.

Bottom line; we are all headed toward Judgment Day with dirty consciences and guilty sins. If certain Jews had been living in denial about that, Paul wants to disabuse them of the fatal notion that all was well. Wake up and feel guilty! Then you might find and appreciate the relief grace will offer...in the passages that follow.