Theological Commentary: Click Here
As I read through
Romans 2, there is a really important message that often gets overlooked. Who am I to judge? This message is so important that Jesus Himself
teaches it when He says, “Let him who is without sin throw the first stone.” The reality is that I have no right to look
upon another in the light of condemnation while I myself sit in the light of
grace. If grace has been extended to me,
then it has been extended to anyone who is willing to receive it. Human beings have no right to look upon one
another in condemnation. That’s is God’s
job, not mine.
That being
said, we often take that message too far.
Just because I shouldn’t look upon another person in condemnation doesn’t
mean I don’t preach the truth. Right is
right. Wrong is wrong. Righteousness is righteousness.
That leads
me to the real trick in this passage.
How does one teach right from wrong but do it in a way that doesn’t
assume condemnation? I think there are
several important principles, and I’ll admit that I’m going to probably miss a
few. The most important part is that it
comes from God’s Word as that is truth. It
is also important that we teach through relationship so that when people hear
us teach they already know our character and will be able to hear the spirit of
our words should we say something in human error. We also need to remember to be transparent;
people are more receptive to hearing about their imperfections when they realize
that we acknowledge our own imperfections.
These things
set us up for an understanding of where this passage ends. Can we prove to be God’s people by outward
appearances? No, of course not! We are God’s people by what is on the
inside. It is a penitent heart that
evidences the salvation that comes from God.
That’s why I have to be careful not to judge! Can I see the heart within, or can I only see
the outward appearances of another through my own jaded perspective of what I
see?
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