Judged By Our Works-Our Work Is to Believe In Christ Jesus.

(Excerpt EJ Waggoner)

Treasuring up Wrath. 

In the first chapter we learned that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." 

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness

Therefore all who sin are treasuring up for themselves wrath. 

It should be noted that in the judgment God is clear. Men receive only what they have worked for. God is not arbitrary. He has not fixed arbitrary decrees, and declared that whoever violates them shall be visited with vengeance. The punishment that will come upon the wicked is the necessary result of their own choice. God is the only source of life.

His life is peace. 

Now when men reject him, the only alternative for them is wrath and death.

"For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; they would none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them." Prov. 1:29-32. 

Trouble and death are bound up in sin; they are what men choose when they refuse the Lord.

"According to his Deeds."

Unbelievers often say that it is not just for God to condemn a man simply because he does not believe a certain thing. 

But he does not do so. 

Not a word can be found in the Bible about judging a man according to his belief. Everywhere it is said that all will be judged according to their works. 

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matt. 16:27. 

"Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12.

He "judgeth according to every man's work." 1 Pet. 1:17.

The man who says that his work is all right, sets himself up as judge in the place of God, who says that every man is all wrong. God is Judge alone, and he judges strictly according to a man's work, but a man's work is decided by his faith. 

"This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:29.

It is not for any man to judge himself, and say that his work is all right. It is for him simply to trust the goodness and mercy of the Lord, that his work may be wrought in God.

Despise Not God.

 If we do NOT despise God and His goodness, His forbearance, and His longsuffering, we WILL be led to repentance, we WILL be led to salvation through Christ.

If we DO despise God, if we despise His goodness, if we despise His forbearance, if we despise His longsuffering, we will NOT be led to repentance, we will not be led to salvation. 

God help us to NEVER despise His goodness, His forbearance, His longsuffering!  His will in all things, not our idea of how things should be, how God should be! His ways are far above our ways!

(Excerpt - EJ Waggoner)

"Repentance Is a Gift. 

"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."  Eph. 2:8.

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:30, 31. 

But it was not to Israel alone that God gave repentance through Christ. "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43. 

And so plainly did God make this appear that even the exclusive Jews were forced to exclaim, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Acts 11:18.

Incentives to Repentance. 

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

The goodness of God leads men to repentance. Therefore the whole earth is full of incentives to repentance, for "the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." Ps. 33:5. "The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy." Ps. 119:64. God may be known through his works, and "God is love." All creation reveals the love and mercy of God.

And we need not try to improve on the Scriptures, and say that the goodness of God tends to lead men to repentance. The Bible says that it does lead them to repentance, and we may be sure that it is so. Every man is being led toward repentance as surely as God is good. But not all repent. Why? Because they despise the riches of the goodness and forbearance and long-suffering of God, and break away from the merciful leading of the Lord. But whoever does not resist the Lord, will surely be brought to repentance and salvation."

The Goodness of God.

    

The goodness of God.

Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 

Psa 86:3  Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. 

Psa 86:4  Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.    

Psa 86:5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 

Psa 86:6  Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 

Psa 104:24  O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 

Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

Col 2:2  That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 

Col 2:3  In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

Tit 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

Tit 3:6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour

Excerpt - EJ Waggoner-

'God's Goodness Leads to Repentance.

"Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." Ro. 2:4

God is the perfection of purity and holiness; man is altogether sinful. God knows every sin, yet he does not despise the sinner. "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17. Christ said, "If any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not." John 12:47.

In everything that he said and did, he was simply representing the Father. God "is long-suffering to usward;"  and "the long-suffering of our God is salvation." 2 Pet. 3:9,15. Now it is impossible that one should consider the goodness and long-suffering of God without being humbled and moved to repentance. When we consider how tenderly God bears with us, it is not possible that we should deal harshly with our fellow-men. And if we do not judge, we shall not be judged. Luke 6:37.'

Wicked Ways In Me.

 "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,  whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:14.

Psa 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 

Psa 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Our lives are laid bare before God. From the vilest of criminals intent upon destruction to the mild-mannered person who is content to live their lives without any acknowledgment of God's truths, and even to the most religious among mankind- none can hide a single thing from God. 

From the most blatant sin, and the sin which is considered the greatest of secrets, God knows them all. You may profess Christianity, while those around you witness your short temper, your snide reactions, your insincerity, your bitterness, your gossiping, your self-righteousness and they know that your Christianity is but pretense - unless - they also witness a true remorse for these things, and the great lamenting over besetting, cherished sins that you recognize in yourself and despise. If they witness the struggle of flesh and spirit in you in a sincere way- they will not be able to point the finger and cry- a pretend Christ follower! 

People try to hide truth even from themselves and guess what? It's possible, it's done all the time, day in and day out. God allows men to believe their own lies when it's certain they truly do not want His truth. 

Our lives laid bare reveal the greatest truth of all-we are vile sinners in need of a Savior. We are vile sinners who cannot remove the stain of sin-soaked into our flesh, tattooing us right down to our very heart's core with its evil condemnation. We could scrub at the filthy stains of sin but they won't come off. We don't have enough stain remover in the world to touch the smallest patch of sin stain.  All our efforts to remove our sin, sin that warrant the righteous judgment of God, is futile. We have to accept this as fact and submit ourselves to the only one who has any power to remove the stain of our sin-soaked selves. Is there any wonder at all whatsoever that we have to submit daily? And at times even minutely?  

We fall to our knees before the sin remover daily allowing Him to wash us with His blood, the only stain remover that exists for our sins. 

We can't hide from our sins, there is no escaping the revelation that will come to all of mankind at one point or another in their lives. We can ignore them, we can cover them with all sorts of pretty pictures trying to blot out the vile evil tattoo stains upon our hearts, but they are there, forever there if they are not given to our Savior to cleanse.

Truly it's not enough to acknowledge sin's existence and denounce it, we have to acknowledge our guiltiness, our part in sin's prolific destruction, it's continued hold on us at every turn. We must despise sin's constant attempts to permanently mark us. We need to humble ourselves, we need to search ourselves and see if there are any wicked ways in us…and we need to let GOD search us and lead us in the way everlasting!

Excerpt EJ Waggoner- 

'Outcry Against Sin.

In Pilgrim's Progress when Talkative left Faithful to decide upon the subject of their conversation, Faithful proposed this question:

"Faith. … How doth the saving grace of God discover itself, when it is in the heart of man?

Talk. I perceive, then, that our talk must be about the power of things; well, 'tis a very good question, and I shall be willing to answer you. And take my answer in brief, thus: First, Where the grace of God is in the heart, it causes there a great outcry against sin. Secondly –

Faith. Nay, hold; let us consider of one at once: I think you should rather say, it shows itself by inclining the soul to abhor its sin.

Talk. Why, what difference is there between crying out against, and abhorring of, sin?

Faith. Oh, a great deal! a man may cry out against sin of policy; but he cannot abhor it, but by virtue of a godly antipathy against it. I have heard many cry out against sin in the pulpit; who yet can abide it well enough in the heart, and house, and conversation. Joseph's mistress cried out with a loud voice, as if she had been very holy; but she would willingly, notwithstanding that, have committed uncleanness with him."

A keen perception of right and wrong, and a vigorous denunciation of sin, will never justify any man. 

On the contrary, they only deepen his condemnation. It is a sad fact that too many of the so-called reformers of the present day seem to think that gospel work consists largely in the denunciation of evil practices. A detective is not a minister of the gospel.

Judgment According to Truth. 

"But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things." (Ro. 2:2)

"Hold," says one, "I am not sure of that." Well, you may very easily assure yourself of it:

 1.God exists. We are agreed as to that.

 2.He is the source whence every created thing comes.

 3.Every creature is absolutely dependent upon him. "In him we live, and move, and  have our being." Acts 17:28

 4.Since all life depends on him, it is evident that the continuation of man's life  depends upon his agreement and union with God.

 5.Therefore God's own character must be the standard of judgment.

 6.But God himself is truth. "There is no unrighteousness in him." Ps. 92:15

 7.But he has made a revelation of himself and his righteousness to all men.  showed in the sight of the heathen. Ps. 98:2.

 8.Therefore all men, from the least to the greatest, are without excuse for their sin.

 9.Then it is plain enough that when God judges all men, without exception, his  judgment is according to truth. And earth will be constrained to join with heaven in  saying, "Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because  thou hast judged thus." "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy  judgments." Rev. 16: 5,7.

No Escape. 

No one need think that he can escape the righteous judgment of God. It is usually the most enlightened who flatter themselves that they shall escape. It is so easy for us to think that our great knowledge of right and wrong will be counted for righteousness, to persuade ourselves that our condemnation of the sins of others will make the Lord believe that we could never be guilty of such things. But that only makes our condemnation the more clear.

The first chapter of Romans knocks all the props from under every man. If the lowest are justly held guilty, there is no escape for the "higher classes." "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,  whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:14.'

Sinners In Need of Salvation, Not Condemnation.

 It is so easy to condemn sin in others, forgetting that our own sins are multiplied the very moment of our condemnation of them. Yes, we are to judge between right and wrong as the Lord reveals it to us, but that is for us, that is our walk with Christ. No. I'm not labeling any sin good, or any good to be sin. I'm stating facts as I believe them. I'm never going to say something I believe to be sin is not sin, by the grace of God. I am going to acknowledge that we are all sinners - no matter the sins.  I might not have an obvious sin for all the world to see, others might have sins in their lives that are right there in view of all the world. My unseen sin is no less deadly than one that is seen. We can NEVER judge another person's eternal life, never! As soon as we make that judgement call we've condemned ourselves. We can acknowledge an obvious sin if we see it, but we should not neglect to also acknowledge along with that recognition the sinner is in need of salvation, not condemnation. Our prayers must be directed along that path. Jesus came to SAVE us, not condemn us! 

God help us to be true ambassadors of Christ, seeking to forgive, not condemn. 

Rom 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 

Rom 1:2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 

Rom 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 

Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

Rom 1:5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 

Rom 1:6  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 

Rom 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Rom 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 

Rom 1:9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 

Rom 1:10  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 

Rom 1:11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 

Rom 1:12  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

Rom 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 

Rom 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 

Rom 1:15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 

Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 

Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 

Rom 1:26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 

Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 

Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 

Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 

Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 

Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 

Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

Excerpt EJ Waggoner- 

A Look Backward

In this study of Romans we wish to carry along with us as much as possible of what we learn. We will therefore take a view of the first chapter as a whole. We have found that it is naturally divided somewhat as follows:

 Vss. 1-7, the salutation, containing an epitome of the whole gospel.

 Vss. 8-15, Paul's personal interest in the Romans, and his sense of obligation to them and to all mankind.

 Vss. 16,17, what the gospel is, and what it contains.

 Vss. 21-23, the corruption of wisdom.

 Vss. 24-32, the result of unthankfulness and of forgetting God.

A careful reading of the chapter shows that the main thought is that God has made himself known to every soul in his creation, and that even the most degraded heathen know that they are guilty and are worthy of death for their wickedness. "Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death,  not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Vs. 32. So "they are without excuse." This leading thought of the first chapter should be well in mind before beginning the second chapter, for the second is a continuation of the first, and dependent upon it.

*******

A Wider View Romans 2:1-11

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another,  thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But, after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 who will render to every man according to his deeds; 7 to them who by patient continuance in welldoing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to every man that worketh good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile; 11 for there is no respect of persons with God.

Acknowledging their Guilt.

The truth of the apostle's statement is easy of demonstration concerning the heathen and their deeds, that they know that they are worthy of death. When Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit, they were afraid to meet God, and hid themselves. Fear is a necessary accompaniment of guilt,  and a proof of it. "Fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18. "The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion." Prov. 28:1. "But the fearful . . . shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire." Rev. 21:8. If the heathen did not know that they were guilty, they would not expect punishment for murdering or stealing, and would not arm themselves for defense.

An Unanswerable Charge. 

There is wonderful shrewdness in the way that the apostle works up the charge made in the first verse. The first chapter is confined to the heathen. All will agree with the apostle's statement that they are guilty of most abominable wickedness. "They ought to know better," is the almost involuntary exclamation.  "They do know better," is the apostle's reply, or, at least, they have a chance to know better, and they do know that they are not doing right. "They are without excuse." Whatever men may think about the responsibility of the heathen, all agree that their practices are to be condemned.

Then comes the crushing rejoinder: "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." 

We are caught, and can not escape. If we know enough to condemn the unrighteous deeds of the heathen, we by that very judgment acknowledge ourselves to be without excuse for our own misdeeds.

All Alike are Guilty. 

"Thou that judgest doest the same things." It is clear enough that anybody who knows enough to condemn evil in another is without excuse for his own sins; but all will not at once see that the one who judges another does the same things. 

Read, therefore the last verses of the first chapter again, and compare the list of sins with that found in Galatians 5:19-21, and it will be seen that the things which the heathen do, and for which we can readily see that they are guilty, are but the works of the flesh. They are the sins that come "from within, out of the heart of men." Mark 7:21-23. 

Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 

Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 

Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 

Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 

Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Mar 7:21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 

Mar 7:22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 

Mar 7:23  All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. 

Whoever is included in the term "man" is subject to just such things. "The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works."  Ps. 33:13-15.

All Are Self-condemned.

Therefore, since all men are alike sharers in one common human nature, it is evident that whosoever in the world condemns another for any misdeed thereby condemns himself; for the truth is that all have the same evil in them, more or less fully developed; and the fact that they know enough to judge that a thing is wrong, is a declaration that they themselves are worthy of the punishment which they see that the other one deserves.

Sympathy, Not Condemnation.

The robber often cries out, "Stop thief!" after some other man, in order to direct pursuit away from himself. So people condemn sin in others, in order that it may not be suspected that they are guilty of the same things. Often, too, people "Compound for sins they are inclined to by damning those they have no mind to," but of which they are actually guilty by reason of their human nature.

Since all flesh of man is the same, we ought to be filled with humiliation, instead of contempt, when we hear of a gross sin that is committed; for it is really a picture of what is in our own hearts. Instead of saying, "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men," we should bear the burden of the erring, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted. Very often the man whose weakness we feel inclined to condemn, has not failed so badly as we should have done if we had been tempted in the same way, and to the same degree.

To be continued…

Grow In Grace and Knowledge of the Lord.

 

God Gives Them Up.