WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.379 Please take your copy of God's Word and join me in Romans chapter 2. 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:16.740 This morning we will take our third and final look at verses 1-16 of the second chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. 00:00:16.740 --> 00:00:23.400 It's been some time since we were in this text together and I'm glad to be back at it. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:27.980 So that we don't get lost in the weeds before we get to our text. 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:38.640 I want to remind us that the theme of Paul's letter is justification by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. 00:00:39.219 --> 00:00:53.799 We must not lose sight of this either to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ or to not be distracted by all of the debate of our age. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:01:02.420 Let's not take for granted that justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. 00:01:02.420 --> 00:01:10.320 The thesis of Paul's letter to the Romans is stated in chapter 1 verse 16 and 17 where he says, 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:20.780 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 00:01:21.619 --> 00:01:26.219 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith. 00:01:26.639 --> 00:01:31.339 As it is written, the righteous shall live by faith. 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:38.939 And I am not overstating it, beloved, when I say that the rest of the letter is unpacking these two verses. 00:01:39.740 --> 00:01:46.280 Everything else that we're going to read and study is shoved into these two verses. 00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:50.740 It is a good and clear thesis for the rest of the letter. 00:01:50.739 --> 00:02:00.019 He places in these two verses front and center the need to be saved and tells us how it is that we can be saved. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:11.979 In order to be saved, we must place our faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ so that God's righteousness will be granted to us. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:15.319 But saved from what? 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:21.060 Paul certainly does not leave us guessing in chapter 1 and verse 18, he says, 00:02:21.299 --> 00:02:33.120 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:37.680 We need to be saved from the wrath that is coming. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:47.080 The right, righteous indignation of our God against rebellion, against his name and against his ways. 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:50.580 And this is a wrath that you do not want to experience. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:53.680 You need to be saved. 00:02:54.900 --> 00:03:03.640 And he proceeds to write that all mankind, although suppressors of the truth, know that there is a powerful God. 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:09.199 That they have disobeyed him and therefore they are without excuse. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:17.959 Paul still seems concerned at the beginning of chapter 2 with any of his readers ability to wiggle out of what he's saying. 00:03:18.119 --> 00:03:23.060 He seems like he's thinking someone's going to say, yeah, but not me. 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:29.719 Surely I can avoid what he's talking about in the last half of chapter 1. 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:40.680 But we need, all of us, the justification that comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:47.699 So Paul sets himself to press that point by speaking of God's judgment. 00:03:47.699 --> 00:03:57.039 We will receive God's wrath if in that day of judgment we don't have God's righteousness. 00:03:57.579 --> 00:04:00.459 So again, he's continuing to build this point out. 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:04.139 Why should we care about this gospel that he speaks of? 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:11.000 This gospel of faith that grants to us the righteousness of God. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:17.300 The author of Hebrews, in Hebrews chapter 9, verse 27, writes, 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:21.500 It is appointed for man to die once. 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:23.699 It will happen. 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:27.480 The inevitability of it is sure. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:31.579 You will one day die. 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:33.360 And then the author of Hebrews says, 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:36.879 And after that comes judgment. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:44.560 I think that this is a reality that should cause every one of us to shudder. 00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:47.000 Even those of us who are in Christ. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:56.920 Even those of us who know, who have great confidence that we have been justified by grace, through faith in Christ. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:00.500 We ought to shudder at the idea of judgment. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:04.399 All of our work laid bare before God. 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:11.539 And it ought to cause us afresh to flee to Christ for the righteousness that he gives to us. 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:19.079 So we've looked at this text, verses 1 through 16 of chapter 2, in two points already. 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:20.819 One on each Sunday. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:24.439 And I didn't look back at the actual dates that we looked at those together. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:27.519 So I'm going to say some weeks ago. 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:29.800 Months perhaps. 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:34.819 We looked firstly at the justice of God's judgment. 00:05:35.660 --> 00:05:39.660 You see this succinctly in verse 2 of chapter 2. 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:48.259 We know, Paul writes, that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:51.579 He's just given a list at the end of chapter 1. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:55.560 A litany of things that are rebellious against God. 00:05:56.120 --> 00:06:00.279 And he says, we know the judgment of God rightly falls. 00:06:00.579 --> 00:06:02.939 It is just and it is proper. 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:07.539 If God is to be a judge, he must justly judge. 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:10.860 It's right that he punishes sin. 00:06:10.860 --> 00:06:17.460 None of us want a creator and ruler of the universe that isn't just. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:19.000 It's good and proper. 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:23.699 We just don't want that justice poured out on us. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:27.340 Paul's even careful to address that attitude. 00:06:27.580 --> 00:06:28.420 In verse 4 he says, 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:33.980 Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:41.180 Not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:44.960 God withholding that judgment from you. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:47.379 The common grace given to mankind. 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:54.560 This forbearance and this patience is meant to lead us to repentance. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:07:00.240 We would know that there's a good creator, ruler, and judge of the world. 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:04.100 And that he has given to us this good news. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:06.400 And I hope that you'll hear it today. 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:10.400 God is the judge. 00:07:10.780 --> 00:07:14.860 Jonathan Edwards said in a sermon on this text, it's on your bulletin. 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:18.319 God is in fact the supreme judge of the world. 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:22.579 He has power sufficient to vindicate his own right. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:26.000 He has declared himself the judge is what Edwards is saying there. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:29.680 And he has the power to do that and for it to remain the case. 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:37.139 As he has a right which cannot be disputed, so he has power which cannot be controlled. 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:47.360 His power to judge will be aimed in wrathful indignation against those who don't place their faith in Jesus Christ. 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:51.259 And God is just for judging in this way. 00:07:51.259 --> 00:08:00.159 Secondly, in some weeks after that first point, we looked at the basis of God's judgment. 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:07.199 You see, verse 6, Paul says he will render to each one according to his works. 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:13.259 And without spending too much time on that, we'll spend a little more time on this in today's point. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:19.219 We will be judged on the basis of our works. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:22.319 But recall, he is making an argument. 00:08:22.459 --> 00:08:25.599 There is an arc to what he is saying to us. 00:08:25.779 --> 00:08:33.159 So we can't neglect the rest of Romans and get all caught up in half of a single verse and have our theology go awry. 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:38.159 In Romans chapter 3, shortly after, quoting from the Old Testament in verse 10, he says, 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:39.059 None is righteous. 00:08:39.579 --> 00:08:40.500 No, not one. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:42.000 No one understands. 00:08:42.459 --> 00:08:43.659 No one seeks for God. 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:45.139 All have turned aside. 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:46.699 Together they have become worthless. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:47.899 No one does good. 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:50.399 Not even one. 00:08:51.579 --> 00:08:55.079 He's setting up a great problem for us. 00:08:55.939 --> 00:08:59.279 The problem of our need for salvation. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:08.759 He is saying to us, you will be judged according to your works and you cannot do good apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ. 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:19.620 Again, we need this outside righteousness, what Luther called an alien righteousness, a righteousness granted to us, a righteousness accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:28.860 So we'll deal with the text now in our third point, but let me read it in its entirety before we do. 00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:34.139 Beloved, this is God's word to us, written for his glory and our good. 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:40.220 So we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:43.159 Romans 2, verse 1 and following. 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:49.639 Therefore, you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:56.980 For in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:10:02.240 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:09.680 You suppose, O man, you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself that you will escape the judgment of God? 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:18.659 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:29.079 But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:32.800 He will render to each one according to his works. 00:10:33.460 --> 00:10:39.100 To those who by patience and well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:45.740 But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:52.539 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek. 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:59.259 But glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:02.680 For God shows no partiality. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:06.740 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:10.259 And all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:16.460 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:25.340 For when Gentiles who do not have the law by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:31.419 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts while their conscience also bears witness. 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:43.039 And their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. 00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:55.539 So this morning, let's briefly conclude our study of these verses with point number three, the impartiality of God's judgment. 00:11:55.539 --> 00:12:00.539 And we'll focus our attention on verses 11 and following. 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:05.699 The point is very tidily summarized by verse 11. 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:09.699 For God shows no partiality. 00:12:09.839 --> 00:12:15.159 It's been made mention in the previous verses of the Jew first and also the Greek. 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:21.779 And we'll develop this idea later on, particularly in chapter 11 of Paul's letter. 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:26.019 But God shows no partiality. 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:37.600 Paul is saying that your ethnic, national, or political status does not change the fact that one day you will stand before God and give an account for your life. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:44.679 The rest of this portion of chapter 2, Paul is working to make that fact abundantly clear. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.939 Paul doesn't want anyone to escape his argument. 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:58.700 Not because he desires condemnation for anyone, but because he desires that all people would see their need of Christ's righteousness to withstand the judgment of God. 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:06.980 That all people everywhere would repent and believe the gospel of which Paul is not ashamed. 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:12.780 Remember, he's not ashamed of it because it is the power of God for salvation. 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:22.659 He wants people to see their desperate need of the justification that comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:24.720 Verse 12. 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:30.500 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:35.879 And all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:44.639 Paul labors all throughout his writing to divide people into only two eternally significant categories. 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:51.639 Those who are in Christ and those who are not in Christ. 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:58.139 This is the only eternally significant category that matters. 00:13:58.139 --> 00:14:04.340 The world, in contrast, labors to divide people in all sorts of other ways. 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:12.059 Specifically in our text, Paul is addressing the tendency of his Jewish hearers to think they were outside the judgment of God. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:16.460 They were given some sort of pass as God's chosen people. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:22.460 That their ethnic and national identity automatically included them in God's favor. 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:30.320 And for the tendency of his Gentile hearers to think they weren't accountable to the law because they did not have it. 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:40.139 So we see expressed the world's labor to divide in this division, Jew and Gentile. 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:44.840 And Paul is just saying, no, it should only be divided. 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:51.940 The internally significant division is those in Christ and those not in Christ. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:56.080 He says it another way in verse 13. 00:14:56.280 --> 00:15:03.420 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:07.180 So those in Christ and those who are not in Christ. 00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:12.340 Doers of the law and not doers of the law. 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:21.840 Now, specifically, more narrowly, the hearers of the law he's referring to would have been Paul's Jewish hearers. 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:32.740 I think perhaps that we most readily identify with this group as those who sit under the teaching of the word. 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:42.580 Most of us, I know, not all of us, but most of us have grown up in one measure or another hearing God's instruction to us. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:48.840 We live in a nation that largely still identifies as Christian. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:57.220 But most good studies dig down deeper and we could come to see, oh, these these people don't understand the gospel at all. 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:01.700 It's kind of a national identity that we take on. 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:04.540 And I think there's a great danger there. 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:16.139 James writes in chapter one and verse 22, be doers of the word and not only hearers deceiving yourselves. 00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:24.120 And then again, James in chapter two and verse 18 says, but someone will say you have faith and I have works. 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:31.579 Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works. 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:37.320 Right. An evidenced faith in the way that our lives are changed. 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:42.560 We are not saved by good works. 00:16:43.040 --> 00:16:47.320 Remember, justified, saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:52.639 But we are saved for good works. 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.980 That's a careful distinction to be made. 00:16:54.980 --> 00:17:01.360 We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:09.220 The way our lives are changed evidences the work that God has done in our hearts. 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:20.360 So having by faith put on the righteousness of Christ and identity change, not in Christ, now in Christ, clothed in his righteousness. 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:20.859 Right. 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.419 Right. 00:17:21.419 --> 00:17:26.319 Able to stand before the judgment of God, making an appeal to the righteousness of Christ. 00:17:26.459 --> 00:17:29.359 I have been granted his perfect life. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:33.579 We are gratefully compelled to good works. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:39.819 Now, just a moment ago, and I'm thankful, been read to you from Ephesians chapter two. 00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:41.779 I'm going to do the same. 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:45.019 This is beginning in verse eight and through verse 10. 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.420 Ephesians two, eight through 10. 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:52.220 Paul there says, for by grace, you have been saved through faith. 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:54.660 And this is not your own doing. 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:56.059 This is a reference to the faith. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:58.000 This is not your own doing. 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:02.920 It is the gift of God, not a result of works. 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:09.560 Again, we're not saved by our works so that no one may boast. 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.980 That's the end of verse nine. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:14.880 No one can say I saved myself. 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:16.080 It's an impossibility. 00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:22.820 If you are in Christ, then you have been saved by grace through faith in Christ. 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:30.180 And then Paul goes on in verse 10 for we are his workmanship created in Christ. 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.980 Jesus, right? 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:34.560 Made new, changed in identity, right? 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:38.140 Not in a degree, but in a status, not in Christ. 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:43.560 Now in Christ, lost, found, enemy, friend. 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:51.400 Created in Christ Jesus for good works. 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:59.480 So we're not saved by our works, but we are saved for good works, which God prepared beforehand. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:02.799 That we should walk in them. 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:07.560 Beloved, this is a very, very careful distinction. 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:09.700 It is taught all over the scriptures. 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:13.720 You must take it up and read and you must understand this distinction that's being made. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:17.460 Please ask questions if you don't. 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:20.600 To press it just a little bit further. 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:24.500 We've been reciting on Sunday mornings from the Heidelberg Catechism. 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:27.019 I don't know that we'll make it this far into the Catechism. 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:30.680 I'm not sure if we'll continue reciting the Heidelberg at this point. 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:37.859 But let me read the question and answer 114 and 115 for you. 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:42.180 This section of the Catechism is all about the law of God. 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:47.000 Particularly the Ten Commandments, the Decalogue, which is the summary of the law. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:54.420 Question 114 says, but can those converted to God keep these commandments perfectly? 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:57.480 It's an important question, is it not? 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:59.559 And the answer is no. 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:05.960 In this life, even the holiest have only a small beginning of disobedience. 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:14.779 Nevertheless, with earnest purpose, they do begin to live not only according to some, but to all the commandments of God. 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.759 I love that. 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.859 No, they can't. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:25.119 But with earnest purpose, they do begin to live not only according to some, but to all the commandments of God. 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.359 Right? 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.779 We are sanctified. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:33.660 Having been justified, we begin to live in a way that's pleasing to God, not in perfection. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:38.660 We make small gains over time by His grace. 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:41.859 Question 115 then asks, 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:49.299 If in this life no one can keep the Ten Commandments perfectly, why does God have them preached so strictly? 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:52.879 They've made the case that God wants the commands taught. 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:56.500 We are not antinomians, which means without the law. 00:20:56.879 --> 00:21:04.500 We would not argue that the law has been put away altogether, but that the moral law still stands and should be taught. 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:07.439 Here, they say strictly, right? 00:21:07.699 --> 00:21:08.579 Taught strictly. 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:11.619 And answer 115 says, 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:23.299 First, so that throughout our life we may more and more become aware of our sinful nature and therefore seek more eagerly the forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ. 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:26.960 That we would long for Christ. 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:40.360 Second, so that while praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may never stop striving to be renewed more and more after God's image until after this life we reach the goal of perfection. 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:52.380 This is a thing that people who are in Christ, who have been given Jesus' righteousness, desire, that out of grateful obedience we would live in a way that pleases Him. 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:59.760 But what are those people who are unaware of God's law? 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:03.900 Again, Paul is not going to let anybody wiggle out of his argument. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:06.320 Verse 14, he says, 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:16.839 For when Gentiles who do not have the law by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:20.059 And he's referring specifically to the law of Moses, right? 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:27.379 Brought down from the mountain, the Decalogue and the development of it in the scriptures. 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:34.620 Even the most lawless of people obey some of God's law. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:38.560 And Paul is saying that this is self-attesting. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:43.180 Where does morality come from? 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:46.620 We live in a society of people who are set against God. 00:22:47.300 --> 00:22:53.760 Believe that there is no God and yet they still have some moral compass. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:57.920 From where does that morality come? 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:06.819 Someone may believe, as an example, that the murder of an unborn child is justifiable, which is a breaking of God's law. 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:11.680 But few with such a practice or view would ever murder a toddler. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.319 Why? 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:15.900 It seems inconsistent to me. 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.019 But why? 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:23.960 Even though ungodly and unrighteous men by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:25.480 Chapter 1, verse 18. 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:30.960 They, by God's mercy, still know some truth. 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:34.819 That's where anything moral comes from. 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:38.579 It comes from God's law. 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:42.940 Creator, sustainer, ruler, judge. 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.799 Verse 15. 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.580 They show. 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:51.200 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. 00:23:51.640 --> 00:24:00.799 When they do anything that is consistent with God's law, they show that the law is written on their hearts. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:11.460 You could go into the deepest of jungles, the most remote of places, and you will find people made in God's image living in ways that are consistent with his law. 00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:12.500 Why? 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.940 Paul tells us. 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:17.500 Because his law is written on their hearts. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:20.740 Even though in their unrighteousness they suppress the truth, right? 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:24.299 There's still some truth that bubbles out of them. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:35.039 He goes on to say, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:41.960 Mankind knows at some core level God's good design for us. 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:46.500 You know at your very core that there is a God. 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.899 He created the world. 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:53.980 And he's put in order things in the world that should be a particular way. 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:57.320 You can find examples of this reality everywhere. 00:24:57.319 --> 00:25:01.819 Many people do things that are categorically good. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:04.019 They seek justice. 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:05.099 They feed the poor. 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.339 They advocate for children. 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.299 They aid the elderly. 00:25:07.439 --> 00:25:09.960 They strive for the good of their neighbor. 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:14.740 And they do so all without the commands of the Bible motivating them. 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:17.220 And say, why do you do the thing that you do? 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:21.720 And they would never say, well, the scripture teaches that I should do this thing. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:25.799 This type of living is to be celebrated. 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:30.200 It's a common grace to mankind that they have the law on their hearts. 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:32.700 But it is not saving. 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:39.559 One can only be justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:45.000 The best of our efforts are still stained with sin. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:48.559 We need the righteousness of Christ. 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:52.500 Christ, mankind needs the righteousness of Christ. 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:58.319 It's why we must not be ashamed of the gospel and the adverse and the positive. 00:25:58.460 --> 00:26:04.159 It's why we must be proud of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation. 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:11.720 Otherwise, Paul tells us, our works only serve to condemn us. 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:22.740 All the good things we do, if we're not found in Christ, only work to testify against the fact that we know that we ought to be living differently. 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:28.200 We know that we're falling short of what God has required of us. 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.819 Know what Paul says about the conscience. 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:38.279 The conscience is that innate understanding of what is right and what is wrong. 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:42.259 People often think of their conscience as that little voice in their head, right? 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:46.119 Communicating to them what is right and what is wrong. 00:26:47.179 --> 00:26:52.960 Verse 15 says that mankind's conscience is conflicted. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:56.440 On the one hand, justifying. 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:58.279 I am good enough. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:01.559 Look at all the good that I do. 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:04.400 On the other, condemning. 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:07.860 I am not nearly good enough. 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:12.120 Look at all the evil that still resides within me. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:16.500 And that conscience is at odds with itself. 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:29.420 There is no system in the world that sets us free from that conflicted conscience other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:33.059 It says, no, you're not good enough. 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:37.279 And you need a goodness to withstand the wrath of God. 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:40.220 And it's a goodness that you cannot accomplish. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:42.980 And so it must be granted to you. 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:47.539 It must be given to you from somewhere else. 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:53.980 Every religious system, every philosophy of life, all fails at this point. 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:58.720 Every single one of them say, here are the rules. 00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:00.839 Try to measure up. 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:05.440 And anybody living in any of those systems, if they're really honest with themselves, 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:08.240 know that their conscience is conflicted. 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:13.640 And we will not find relief for that except in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:17.099 I've read this poem to you before. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:20.079 I think I read it the first week we were in Romans. 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:22.700 I think it expresses this well. 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:27.140 Oh, long and dark stairs I trod. 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:30.480 With trembling feet to find my God. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:35.480 Gaining a foothold bit by bit, then slipping back and losing it. 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:41.480 Never progressing, striving still with weakening grasp and faltering will. 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:48.299 Bleeding to climb to God while he serenely smiled, not noting me. 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:53.759 Then came a certain time when I loosened my hold and fell thereby. 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:58.960 Down to the lowest step my fall as if I had not climbed at all. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:07.039 Now when I lay despairing there, listen, a footfall on the stair. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:12.960 On that same stair where I, afraid, faltered and fell and lay dismayed. 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:21.680 And lo, when hope had ceased to be, my God came down the stairs to me. 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:28.440 This is an expression of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:29:29.320 --> 00:29:37.759 This God, this judge of all things, the right, just judge of all things, became a man. 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:42.240 That he might live the life he requires of us. 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:46.380 Die the death that we deserve. 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:50.980 That by faith, our sin is given to him. 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:54.940 And his righteousness is granted to us. 00:29:57.540 --> 00:30:01.040 We see Paul say that there's going to be this conflicting conscience. 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:05.360 That's going to either condemn or justify. 00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:06.260 Verse 16. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.840 On that day when. 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:11.620 According to my gospel. 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:15.559 Notice that he connects the idea of the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.719 God's judgment. 00:30:18.479 --> 00:30:19.799 According to my gospel. 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:23.399 God judges the secrets of men. 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:25.219 By Christ Jesus. 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.559 No one will escape. 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:29.259 The judgment of God. 00:30:29.959 --> 00:30:31.059 God sees all. 00:30:31.739 --> 00:30:32.639 And will judge all. 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.739 We live our lives. 00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:35.899 Corum. 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.079 Deo. 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:38.219 This is Latin. 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:43.319 For before the face or in the presence of God. 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:45.380 He's everywhere at all times. 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:47.900 He knows all things. 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:53.160 To what will you appeal on that great day of judgment? 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:57.360 Your works will never stand before his judgment. 00:30:57.640 --> 00:31:00.620 You will not be able to say, well, I did such and such. 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:04.480 Look at the way in which I live. 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:07.240 The only appeal that will stand in that day. 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:10.220 Will be an appeal to the completed work. 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.839 Of Jesus Christ. 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:14.839 We will be right to say. 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:17.539 Jesus lived for me. 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:19.660 And died for me. 00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:21.220 We are justified. 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:23.019 By grace alone. 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.559 Through faith alone. 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.620 In Jesus Christ alone. 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.019 Let's pray together. 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:30.420 Thank you. 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.420