Intended

Yesterday, Paul provided the foundation to his letter and the answer to our problem. Today, Paul explains the problem ... we will be judged/punished for our sins. Paul explains that everyone will be judged ... those who only know about God through His creation or what is called “general revelation” (Romans 1:18-32) and those who have received a “special revelation” (Romans 2:1-3:8). In this case, Paul is referring to the specific laws God laid out for the Jews in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. In the midst of this section, I found four verses that were very relevant to my life ...


Romans 2
1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.
2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things.
3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?
4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?


Intended. As Jesus followers, we sometimes get focused on the mistakes that everyone else make. Okay, that may not be the reality; but that is definitely the perception. The “kindness” Paul is referring to is the “Good News” we read about yesterday. That kindness, that forgiveness from the judgment/punishment we deserve, was intended to encourage us to make wiser, more God-honoring decisions ... to encourage others to experience that same kindness, that same forgiveness. It was never intended to be transformed into a weapon used to bully people into following Jesus.