#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Sun. 26/6/2016

25 June 2016

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26/6/2016 LESSON 4

GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT ON SIN

Quarter’s Theme: BASIC CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES

Unit 1 – God’s Plan For Our Salvation (Lessons 1-4)

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 68, 306

Devotional Reading: PS. 9:1-8

Topic For Adults

DON’T BE JUDGMENTAL

Topic For Youths

AVOID SECRET SINS

Topic For Intermediates

DON’T WAIT FOR GOD’S JUDGMENT

Scripture Lesson

ROMANS 2:1-16

(RESPONSIBILITY MONTHS)

MEMORY VERSE

But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things (Rom. 2:2) NKJV

DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING

Sun. 26/6/2016

All Secrets Will Be Open

Rom. 2:11-16

Do you know that there will be surprises on the day of God’s judgment? There are people now that are appearing to others as the most holy and most righteous, but who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. There are some that are using devilish power to perform miracles and people are giving them accolades and they are drawing many followers. They may deceive many people now, but they cannot deceive forever. A day is coming when God will judge all secrets of men and will make them open for people to see. Are you engaging in secret sins, or you are secretly doing evil and think no one sees you? Repent now before it will be too late for you.

Point of Emphasis: On the day of judgment, all secrets shall be made open.

Prayer Point: Lord, help me to stand pure and clean before You on the day of judgment.

BACKGROUND

Many people continue to indulge in sins and iniquities because God does not
bring judgment on them immediately. As a result, they take God for granted
and engage in more evil deeds. This week’s lesson is to warn those people that God’s judgment is coming upon sinners and His judgment will be adjudged righteous and true. God will be justified in His judgment against sinners.

NOTE ON THE TEXTS

PART 1: GOD IS THE ULTIMATE JUDGE (ROM. 2:1-4)

Arising from the sins levelled against the Gentiles in chapter 1 of Romans, Paul understood that the Jews did not see themselves as committing such sins and were justifying themselves and excusing themselves from the judgment that is coming upon the Gentiles. In addition, the Jews were also judging or condemning the Gentiles for engaging in such ungodly deeds; whereas they themselves were guilty of the same sins they were accusing the Gentiles of. The apostle Paul in the passage affirms that the Jews were inexcusable of their own sins and that they too will be condemned or judged in the sight of God on the same grounds on which they condemned the Gentiles. This becomes so because they (the Jews) had the light of God, the oracles of God, and yet committed wickedness (v. 1)

In verse 2, Paul affirms that the judgment of God is sure and certain. It is known and believed by men generally that God will judge and punish those who engage in offences against His will. Also, it is known that God’s judgment will be according to truth. This means God will judge those who are guilty of such sins (as enumerated in Romans 1), not according to appearance, but in integrity, and with righteousness. God, the ultimate judge, will judge men according to the real nature of their conduct, and not as their conduct may appear unto men. The secret as well as the open sinner must, therefore, expect to be judged according to their true character.

Paul also appeals to people’s common sense, to their deep and instinctive conviction of what is right to know that if they condemn those who commit offences which they do themselves, would not a holy and just God be far more likely to pronounce judgment on them also? And could they escape who had themselves delivered a similar sentence? The answer is no. therefore, always examine yourself and ensure you do not engage in things that will bring God’s negative judgment on you, and stop condemning or judging others, for God is the Ultimate Judge.

PART 2: YOUR DEEDS WILL DETERMINE YOUR JUDGMENT (ROM. 2:5-10)

God as the Ultimate Judge is not an arbitrary Judge. He has revealed His mind and will to humanity through creation works. He has revealed Himself to people of all nations. He has given the holy Scripture to His people. When He will judge, the judgment of individuals will be based on his or her deeds placed side by side the revealed will of God. Paul makes it known without any fear of contradiction that those who hardened their heart against the gospel of Jesus and those who refuse to repent from their sins upon hearing the gospel are only storing for themselves the wrath of God (v. 5) in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

The Ultimate Judge is going to render His judgment in accordance with a man’s deed. He will give to every man as he deserves (v. 6). For instance. He will give eternal life, peace, glory, and honour to those who are doing good things for the glory and honour of God; and indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish to those who do not obey the truth, those who engage in unrighteousness, and those who do evil. Beloved, you need to examine your life and your deeds. If your Jesus should come today (whether by death or second coming), what do you think will be your judgment based on your deeds, service to God and humanity? Know that God cannot be mocked, whatever a man sows that he will reap (Gal. 6:7)

PART 3: NO PARTIALITY IN GOD’S JUDGMENT (ROM. 2:11-16)

Partiality or respect of persons is pronouncing judgment, or favouring one party or individual more than another, not because his cause is more just, but on account of something personal i.e. his wealth, or rank, or office, or influence, or by personal friendship, or by the fear of him, etc. However, in His capacity as the Ultimate Judge, God will not be partial. He will not be influenced in awarding the retributions of eternity, in pronouncing and executing sentence, by any partiality, or by regard to wealth, office, status, or appearance of men.

Some people may think that people lived in different generations and periods, having different or limited knowledge about God, would God use the same standard to judge all people of all generations? Paul answers such people and states that Gentiles, who might have sinned without the law (v. 12), will be judged based on the knowledge available to them. They would not be condemned for failing to conform to a code of laws they knew nothing about. They will not perish because they didn’t have the Jewish law, they will perish because they have sinned. This means non-Christians who do not have the Bible will not be punished because they didn’t do what is in the Bible, but will be punished for sinning against God or doing things contrary to God’s will revealed in nature.

The Jews (Christians alike) will be judged by God’s written law that they know so well. People are condemned not for what they don’t know, but for what they do with what they know. It does not follow that, because some people are favoured with a divine revelation, therefore they shall be saved, while others who have not had that revelation, shall finally perish. Nor does it follow that the Gentiles who have not had a divine revelation, shall either perish, because they had it not; or their unrighteous acts unpunished. But everyone shall be judged accordingly in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the gospel that is being preached to people. This may be the reason why God intends it that the end will not come until the gospel has been preached in all nations as a witness against them (Matt. 24:14).

CONCLUSION

A time is coming when God will bring judgment on sin and sinners. He will also judge the secrets of men. Believers should, therefore, be examining themselves daily of any besetting sins that may bring God’s righteous judgment on them. Remember, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31)

QUESTIONS

Who will not be excused from the judgment of God?
How is God the Ultimate Judge?
What are the criteria for God’s judgment?
Explain the impartiality of God’s judgment.
Mention the contents of the judgment of both the righteous and the wicked.