The end of chapter 1
listed so many things that people do when they fail to acknowledge God
and give Him the place He deserves in their lives, and all of it goes
back to a worship of something other than God, sometimes literal idols,
sometimes self, in His place. So, when chapter 2 begins with:
"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." we can see that anyone who judges struggles with putting themselves in the place of God as well... so by judging, we become a type of idolator.
We know that the only one with the right to judge is God: 5 ... "For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done." and we should never take this place. This is also shown in verse 8: But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness." Living for self also implies putting one's self in the place of God... and we all are guilty of this at some point in our lives.
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?
I wish I could see this verse manifested in the life of some of the people I love. If they could ever really see just how balanced and gentle God's nature is, it could revolutionize their view of love and then the way they interact with others. Of course, I say this realizing that there's so much I don't even understand yet, but I want to, and I want to find a way to share it with them, too. God is kind. Who knew?
"9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.a]"[a] 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism."
I have to admit that I find these verses paradoxical... like the argument that "anything separate is inherently unequal," something being "first" and it not showing favoritism goes against what we would consider "fair" in our understanding. But we also know that we do not see the whole picture and that in reality, we don't deserve anything but judgment, whether first or otherwise, and that God can not be unjust.
The last part of verse 7, then, shows what we should be motivated to: 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
"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." we can see that anyone who judges struggles with putting themselves in the place of God as well... so by judging, we become a type of idolator.
We know that the only one with the right to judge is God: 5 ... "For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done." and we should never take this place. This is also shown in verse 8: But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness." Living for self also implies putting one's self in the place of God... and we all are guilty of this at some point in our lives.
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?
I wish I could see this verse manifested in the life of some of the people I love. If they could ever really see just how balanced and gentle God's nature is, it could revolutionize their view of love and then the way they interact with others. Of course, I say this realizing that there's so much I don't even understand yet, but I want to, and I want to find a way to share it with them, too. God is kind. Who knew?
"9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.a]"[a] 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism."
I have to admit that I find these verses paradoxical... like the argument that "anything separate is inherently unequal," something being "first" and it not showing favoritism goes against what we would consider "fair" in our understanding. But we also know that we do not see the whole picture and that in reality, we don't deserve anything but judgment, whether first or otherwise, and that God can not be unjust.
The last part of verse 7, then, shows what we should be motivated to: 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
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