I.  The judgment of God (Romans 2:1-16)
A. according to truth (1-5)

Romans 2:1-5 “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

When the moralist sees the sin of others it should cause him to examine his own heart, see his own sins, and lead him to repentance. (Repentance:  making a 180 degree turn from self-justification to faith in Jesus Christ; turning from sin with godly sorrow to Jesus as Savior and Lord) Instead he sees only the sins of his neighbors, friends, business associates, and government.  The moralist has deceived himself into thinking he will escape the judgment of God while others will be punished.  He does not realize that the stubbornness of his heart will bring God’s wrath.

Example: Suzy hears about how Jessica has talked about her behind her back, and she is livid.  Later that day she is talking with Laura and says, “Did you hear about Julie?…”  Suzy knows what she is doing is wrong because she has already judged the same sin in Jessica, yet through the hardness of her heart she thinks she is a moral and good person who has nothing to fear from God.

Lesson: Our first and foremost concern about sin should be our own sin!

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