God’s Judgment Is Certain, Patient, and Fair

Summary

A Rumor and a Lesson in Judgment

A false rumor illustrates that God’s judgment never misses reality. Romans 2 warns against condemning others while practicing the same sins. God sees the truth, shows patience, and delays judgment to allow repentance, but condemnation is certain for those who refuse. Salvation is by grace through faith, yet true faith produces obedience and good works. God judges impartially, holding each person accountable for how they respond to the truth they know.

A Rumor and a Lesson in Judgment

Gifts to Prairie Bible Institute from a certain geographical area declined. It happened shortly after Dr. Maxwell, the school’s president, had two cataract operations. A rumor started that Dr. Maxwell had two Cadillacs!¹ God’s judgment never misses the mark.

Condemning Others While Excusing Ourselves

God judges (Romans 2:1-3). Paul anticipated some in the church would agree with God’s condemning the slime-of-the-earth Gentiles. But Paul added that those judging the Gentiles were doing the same things they were.

The “obvious” sins of others often prosper in our hearts. When we condemn others for them, we prove that we know they are wrong.

God Judges According to Truth

God judges according to reality (Romans 2:1-3). The Scribes and Pharisees pretended to be righteous. They were not. Jesus knew it.

Before my first botany test, the professor shared some advice. He said, “Do not try to snow me. You might be able to do it, but I doubt it.”

I tried. He was right. He knew too much. God knows the truth about you. You cannot fool Him.

The Patience of God and the Call to Repent

Even though God knows the truth about you, He is not anxious to condemn you. He delays judgment. He gives time for repentance (Romans 2:4-5).

I know someone who challenged God to strike him dead. God did not. That only proved God’s patience.

God’s patience is like a dam on a mighty river. Water is piling up higher and higher behind the dam. The people living on the banks of the river below it have a false sense of security.

Someday God’s patience, like the dam, will give way. Condemnation is certain for those who refuse to repent.

Living Faith Produces Good Works

Your good works determine your destiny (Romans 2:6). As water naturally flows downhill, living faith produces a stream of good works.

God saves you by grace through faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone (James 2:26). He saves you to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).

Those who seek their own will instead of God’s will experience His wrath. They do not obey the truth (Romans 2:8).

Even believers are prone to selective, convenient obedience. You prepare best for judgment by eliminating the “partial” in partial obedience.

God's Judgment Based on What We Know

God judges without respect for persons. He judges those with only an internal law by that law.

He judges those with His written revelation by that revelation. God will judge you based on what you did with what you knew.

How does your life differ from that of unbelievers? How do you consistently demonstrate a living, life-changing commitment to Jesus Christ?

Take the things of God seriously. Love Him with all your being. Love your neighbor as yourself. On Judgment Day, you will be glad you did!

1.     https://bible.org/illustration/cataract-surgery

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