Sunday 1 October 2017

Trouble and Distress or Glory and Honour

Trouble and Distress or Glory and honour
The Apostle Paul writes,
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.  
Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.  
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?  
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? 
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath , when his righteous judgment will be revealed.  
God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”  
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.  
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;  but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  
For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:1-11.
Here Paul makes it clear that we have no right to judge others. He states,
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
We have no right to judge others because like them we sin and all sin is equal. So in condemning the sin of others we are also condemning the sin in our lives. And as Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2
Paul goes on to say,
“...do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
God does show kindness, tolerance and patience to those who sin. Likewise he shows the same things to those who do not know Him.
The reason is kindness and leads to repentance.
Jesus tells us in  John 3:16, 17,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.   
Paul points out,
"God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”  
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
This does not mean we are saved by our works. Paul makes it clear in his other writings that it is by faith we are saved.
Here Paul is talking to the believer. Telling the believer that those who continue in the faith doing good will be given their reward eternal life with God.
On the other hand those who are self seeking, who reject to truth and follow evil will subject to wrath and anger.
Paul then notes,
1/ “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;” 
 2/ “but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”  
He notes every human being who does evil will be punished.
Likewise every one who does good will receive glory and honour.
Please think about it.

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