Romans Chapter 2 (Part 1)

There are two parts to this chapter, the first from verse 1 - 16 and the second from verse 17 - 29.

The first part deals with the standard of God's demand on man. This is important because God is the judge of our souls, since He is our Creator. Just as it is with us and our belongings (where we decide what to do with our own belongings), so it is with God (in a more perfect sense) to judge His creatures which He had given life to. Let us be mindful of this, lest we think ourselves too highly and judge others. Instead, let us understand that God is the One true Judge - He punishes those who are rebellious and unrighteous in going against God's Word (verses 5, 8,9). In contrast, He rewards those who are good and who glorifies God by their actions (verses 7, 10). This is not only applicable to 'churched' people who have known God's Law, and are able to have the moral grounding that is seen in civilised nations, but also to those who are uncivilised (e.g. lost tribes in the world that have not met with modern civilisations). They too have the knowledge of God and the need to worship Him hidden in their hearts (alluded to in Romans 1:18-20). Thus, God will judge all men, whether churched or unchurched, by Jesus Christ (who is the Judge to come) and according to His gospel (that there is no other saviour besides God's way).

Lessons: 

• We must be very careful NOT to judge (condemn) others in our hearts (see Matthew 7:1). This does not mean we cannot have an 'opinion' on them or to 'weigh up their attitudes' (see Matthew 7:6), but it means we cannot condemn a person with no pity in our eyes, for we are NOT the ultimate judge.
• We must acknowledge that God has standards in His Judgements. This is nothing about what 'we think', but everything to do with what He has set. Condemnation to hell for those who do not meet His righteousness (fitting since defective creatures have no place in a perfect dwelling) while a Heavenly Reward for those who do meet His righteous standard (heaven is fit for those who are perfect, see Matthew 5:48). 

Applications:

1. There are many in the world who rejoices to see others who are 'worse sinners' than themselves. It somehow gives them a comfort that 'they are not as bad as others'. The opposite is also true, that there are those who don't think their sins are 'a big thing' since everyone sins. What is your position on this? What ought we to think when we are confronted with sin?
2. The destiny of our souls really are according to the condition of our hearts. God is just in His judgements. We ought to fear His judgement since He sees everything. Why are we sometimes not fearful of His judgements? What are some ways to bring back the 'fear of God' into man (and of course, ourselves)?