SIN’S CONSEQUENCES
Romans 2:1-16

Introduction:     These first three chapters of Romans reveal a courtroom drama and establish the fact that all are guilty of sin. Chapter 1 reveals the unrighteousness of man, and chapter 2 reveals the self-righteousness of man. This text teaches us also that there are consequences to sin. The ultimate consequence of sin is death & hell. What does the Bible say about the judgment of God against sin?

I.          GOD’S JUDGMENT IS PERFECT (VV.1-4)
The moralist is inexcusable when he judges the heathen for sin but is blind to his own sin. He only condemns himself when he condemns another.

            A.        There Is No Excuse (v.1)

·        No defense – (I’m a good person; the world says, I’m ok – you’re ok). You may be a religious person, you might be a good person, but without Christ, my friend, you’re lost. Separated from God by a sin nature – (Illus: everybody today is a victim)

·        “Judgest” = to distinguish, i.e. decide; to try, or condemn. God is saying that by the same token that you have the right to judge other people by your standards He has the right to judge you by His standards.

            B.         There Is No Escape (v.2-3)

·        God’s Judgment is according to Truth – God’s evidence is absolutely true.

·        What we condemn in others we condone in ourselves – Why?

o       Blind spots – it’s wrong for others to be bitter, but alright for them; unkind – gossip etc. What about you?

o       Forget – Your feeling get hurt and it’s the end of the world, but you can hurt another’s feelings and say, “get over it – your skin is too thin” etc.

o       Change the names of sin – others lie, you just stretch the truth; others are prejudice, you just have convictions; other people steal, you borrow; others commit adultery, you just need your needs met.

II.         GOD’S JUDGMENT IS PREMEDITATED (VV.5-10)
“Hardness” = stubborn – “treasurest up wrath” = stockpiling - like water behind a dam building up until it burst through in a flood. (Illus: you can say you are whatever you want, but if you’re not washed in the blood of Jesus you’re not saved!)

            A.        Well-Doers Rewarded

·        (v.7) Tells what a true Christian is – one who continues doing what is right.

·        Patient continuance in well doing does not mean that we are saved by doing good. Eternal life is not a reward for effort; it is a gift to those who trust Christ. Obedience to God does well in every dispensation. When Cain brought his fruit as an offering and God rejected it, God said, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” (Gen 4:7). Obedience to God in bringing the proper sacrifice would have been doing well. Today, in the age of grace, we do well by placing our faith in Christ Jesus as Saviour. Thus faith in Christ is patient continuance in well doing in this age. Perseverance is the mark of true Christianity.

B.                 Evil-Doers Reimbursed

·        (v.6)

·        (vv.8-10)

III.       GOD’S JUDGMENT IS PRECISE (VV.11-16)
God is not impressed with what impresses us. “Respect” = lifting the face – it means God doesn’t receive anybody’s face – why? Because God is looking beyond the face to the inside! (Illus: this is not a costume contest and the one with the best religious costume goes to heaven because you look the most holy – Annahas & Shapira). Verse 11 brings us to what God knows about us.

            A.        He Knows Our Advantages (vv.12-13)

·        "In the law" = in the sphere of. religious people (church members) – sinning in the sphere of the church (religion)

·        “Hearers” = doesn’t just mean people that hear, but speaks of a pupil who sits in a classroom and hears the same thing day after day. (Illus: Listen religious church members, you’re not going to go to heaven because you sit as a good pupil in a pew every week or in Bible study and hear the Word of God Saved folks DO the Word of God!

            B.         He Knows Our Hearts (vv.14-15)

·        The unwritten law of conscience – Men that have never heard the gospel know right from wrong – they know it’s wrong to steal, to kill, etc because that message is written on their hearts.

·        Man establishes laws but cannot keep the laws written on their own hearts that God has revealed even in nature. Because they are law breakers they are sinners by nature. God can and will judge the heathen by his own conscience. Some folk think because the heathen do not have the revelation of God that they will escape God’s judgment. But the fact is that they are not living up to the light they have and God will judge them on that basis.

(Illus: Is that fair? See verse 2. God’s judgment is based on truth!) (Illus: Divine appointments…)

            C.        He Knows Our Secrets (v.16)

·        God knows what a lie is.

·        God knows what truth is.

Conclusion:       This lost world embraces the philosophy that says “I’m ok…you’re ok.” Folks, it’s not ok! God says man without Christ is a sinner and God judges sin and cast the sinner and his sin into the eternal flames of hell! Just as surely as night follows day, judgment follows sin! The only way to escape God’s wrath is to run to Jesus.