What About The Moral Folks

 

ROMANS 2:1-3

Charles E. Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher

Romans 2:1 Therefore you have
(2SPAI) no excuse, (KJV= "O man ) everyone * of you who passes judgment
(PAPMSN) , for
in that which you judge
(2SPAI)  another, you condemn
(2SPAI)
yourself; for you who judge
(PAPMSN)  practice
(2SPAI)
the same
things. (NASB: Lockman)

Overview: Those who have checked out on God, have been a banned by God.

WHAT ABOUT THE BASIC GOOD MORAL FOLKS?

• Those who agree with Paul's statement in chapter one
  
• Those who believe since they are moral people they believe they are Christians.
  
• But is it true that they are all that moral, really?
  

THERE IS THE KEY:

Many appear not to be idolatrous; they are the "professing Christian." While they agree with Paul they cannot maintain this outward virtue system of value. They cannot restrain their own sinfulness, so they cover over their real darkness with light.

Many people believe they are moral enough to get to heaven

THE WHOLE BASIS OF THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL:

In order to appreciate the force of the apostle's reasoning in this and the following verses, it should be remembered that the principal ground on which the Jews expected to be accepted by God was the covenant which he had made with their father Abraham, in which he promised to be a God to Abraham and to his descendants after him. The Jews believed that this promise guaranteed salvation for all who retained their connection with Abraham through the observance of the law and the rite of circumcision. Therefore, they expected to be regarded and treated not so much as individuals, each dealt with according to his personal character, but as a community to whom salvation was assured by the promise made to Abraham. 

• Is only understood in so far as they understand that they stand guilty before God, whether they are listed in chapter one or not.
  
• The Jews in Paul's day believed they didn't stand in judgment with God, they were exempt.
  
• The Jews believed that God would wipe out the Gentiles but not them.
  
• The Jews believed salvation by works. Legalism. Because they were a nation that kept traditions.
  
• The Jews believed they were no consequences to their personal sins. They were under the covenant.
  
• The moral, self-righteous people are the hardest people to reach.
  

THERE ARE SIX REASONS FOR THE JUDGMENT OF GOD ON ALL MEN 1-16

2. Knowledge
   
3. Truth
   
4. Guilt
   
5. Deeds
   
6. Impartiality
   
7. Motive
   

 

 

1A    KNOWLEDGE: vs 1

Therefore (1352) (dio) is a term of conclusion could refer to what Paul has just said in the last half of Romans 1. the facts upon which Paul bases his conclusion ("you are without excuse") follow instead of precede the "therefore".

The Jews knew the truth.

"O MAN." Any man, any moralist, those who say I am not any of those in chapter one.

"INEXCUSABLE." They had a more complete knowledge.

"THOU ART THEY JUDGEST." If you know the standard whereby to judge then you know the standard.

For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemneth thyself for thou that judgest doest the same things:

• Matthew 7:1-3 (15-20) The Lord says…..James 3:1 says…
  
  • You are doing the same things as you judge someone else
    
• Matthew 5:21-32
  
  • What do you mean I have done these things.
    
  • Self righteous people make no mistakes.
    
    • They misunderstand the height of God's law
      
    • They misunderstand the depth of their sin.
      
• So, the logic of our Lord is clear and convincing. You who condemn others prove that you know the law. And in your knowledge of the law you condemn yourselves because you are doing the same things. The conscience that makes you aware of wrong in others, writes your own sentence. Pretty devastating, isn't it? To the self-righteous religious Jew and the moralist, He says you're just as bad as everybody else, you're just covering it up on the outside and God will judge on the basis of knowledge.
  

2A    TRUTH: 2-3

 

 

 

Correspondence Between Paul and Seneca, A.D. 61-65

Lucius Annaeus Seneca
^{http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc50.html}

Born in Spain in 4 BC, Lucius Annaeus Seneca was educated in Rome and became famous not only as a playwright, but as an orator and philosopher as well. He served as tutor to the young Nero, and when the boy became Emperor in 54 AD, he retained Seneca as his advisor. For several years, Seneca exerted a calming influence on the young emperor. After he retired in AD 62, however, he lost favor with his former pupil, and in AD 65, he was accused of conspiring against Nero and was forced to commit suicide. Seneca was perhaps best known, however, for his scenes of violence and horror.