Sunday, April 27, 2008
Romans 2:1-29
Romans 2:4 Now here is something that I never picked up on before. It is the "kindness of God" which "leads you toward repentance". Boy is this true in my life. However I came across another passage Psalms 19:7, that speaks of a turning in our lives that comes from another reason. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul". What actually brings us to our knees? Is it the recognition of our sin or the kindness of God? As David alludes to in Psalms, the law is perfect and we are imperfect. We will never stack up to the standards God has set for us. So like a knife piercing our hearts, we turn from our wicked ways and ask God to save us from the wrath to come (v.5), and restore us into a right relationship with Him. Or as Paul alludes to in this verse, when we realize our filthiness side by side with God's kindness, shouldn't we weep and turn from our current sinful patterns and want to follow Him? So which is it, do we need His kindness or His law? Maybe both. Grace, MB
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4 comments:
Good comments. I had never really paid much attention to that verse before. I guess my opinion on that would be that both lead us to repentance. Sometimes, I feel so inadequate when I think about the perfection of God. Seeing his kindness, his gentleness, his greatness... that humbles me and leads me to repentance. However, I don't think we would truly understand or appreciate the idea of God's perfection without the law. I don't know. Just a thought.
The thing that really struck me in this chapter was hypocrisy. Romans 2:3 says, "So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?" It is so important for us to remember that all sin is the same to God. So in all reality, we are no different from a murderer or a rapist. God's grace and mercy are the only things that separate us. Now that's humbling. We may think that our sins "aren't that bad". But they hurt God just the same. Sometimes, I try to make myself feel better about the areas in which I fall short by thinking, "Well at least I don't do anything THAT bad..." But that can't be the way I look at sin. It's all the same to God. Whew. Kinda makes me feel like a shmuck. I think I need to spend more time worrying about where I'M at in MY relationship with Christ. I can't reach those around me if I'm not connected to Him.
p.s. If you're ever reading this blog at work or something, and you don't have your Bible nearby, you can search for any passage you need at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/. This way you can read the chapter we're studying right from your computer screen :)
I think it is the kindness of God that leads you to repentence. He never gives up on you and is patient...that is kind and when you realize it...The law will give you all the rewards (as in Psalms 19:7) after you have repented...thats what i think by reading this.
What a scary first paragraph. Paul is ruthless! Same about the jews, he told them! My bible says in the foot notes...: have you ever advised someone? Make sure your actions match you words. It makes me reflect and know how hard it is to be a Christian...we all fall short. It makes me ponder that if we are made in God's image.. Why do we think one sin is not as bad as others and God compares Rapist and Muderers to someone gossiping and think it the same..why is that?
Lastly we should all weep and turn from our sins and run to God. I have many of times. If you look inwardly there's always room for improvement. I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to lead me. But it is impossible to be perfect. You could get an obsession trying to be...i could imagine...We'd all be MADDD! lol
Regarding your question of whether we need His kindness or His law, I believe both. Here are some of my thoughts:
When I first think of the law, I think of the law that was handed down to the Israelites by Moses. I am thankful that, when I sin, I can confess my sin, repent, turn away from that sin, and know that I am forgiven. I am thankful, that because Jesus was the only sacrifice that could cover a multitude of my sins…past, present, and future, that I do not have to live by the law that Moses presented to the Israelites. When I think of the law, I am not only thinking of the Ten Commandments but all the other rules that governed one’s offerings to God.
In Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Further in Matthew 22:36, Jesus is asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus sums the Law and the Prophets in this way, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." If I love God with all my heart, soul, and mind and love my neighbor as myself, I won’t and/or shouldn’t have the desire to serve any other gods, have any idols, use God’s name in vain, make the Sabbath day unholy, and dishonor my parents (Exodus 20). If I love my neighbor as myself, I won’t and/or shouldn’t have the desire to kill, commit adultery, steal, lie, and want what’s not mine (Exodus 20).
His law reminds me that I will never be perfect. Because of the fact that I will never be perfect, His kindness to me is represented by that fact that He allowed the only perfect sacrifice (His son Jesus Christ) to die on the cross for a wretch like myself.
Regarding your question of whether the recognition of our sin or the kindness of God brings us to our knees, I believe both. Here is why:
Prior to being a Christian, it was the recognition that the life I was leading was not producing any type of peace in my life. It was the recognition that my life, which I thought I controlled, was so out of control that I needed something more. Drugs, alcohol, homosexuality, and sexual promiscuity could not and would never meet my needs for something lasting. The things in which I was placing my faith no longer seemed to satisfy. It was seeing the kindness of God in others, realizing how He never left me (even when I was at my lowest), and recognizing my need for something more that brought me to my knees.
As a Christian, it is the recognition of my sin, knowing God’s kindness has never failed me, and seeing how He blesses me when I don’t deserve His blessing that brings me to my knees.
Leave it to me to write a book :)!
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