Welcome to season 2 of the Grace and Wrath podcast. The personal evangelism podcast aimed at encouraging you with scriptural truth, and arming you with tools, skills and suggestions to effectively share the Gospel of Jesus whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Hi, my name is Mark Wood, I’m a husband, father, and soldier for Christ,  and I’ll be your host.

This new season of the Grace and Wrath podcast will be very different from the first season.  We will be digging into the heart of scripture and pulling out the gems of truth that God is communicating to His church through His word, and the wonderful promises God gives to all of us, including the promises for our lost brothers and sisters, for the purposes of bringing them to repentance, and to His amazing saving grace.

In this podcast, we’re going to dive deep into Romans 2:1-11. As we explore this passage, we will discover the profound truths revealed by the Apostle Paul so that we might understand the righteous judgment of God and the implications it has for our lives today. The righteous judgment of God is a topic that speaks to the very heart of our faith, calling us to reflect on our relationship with Him, our understanding of justice, and how we live in light of His standards.

Let’s review the Context of Romans,

The Book of Romans is not merely a theological treatise but a letter that addresses the moral and spiritual climate of the time. Rome was a melting pot of cultures and religions, much like our society today. With such diversity, the temptation was for the church to compare its righteousness to the world around it. However, Paul steps in to remind us that God’s standards are not relative, they are absolute.

As we venture into chapter two, we must remember that Paul has established in chapter one that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Now, in chapter two, specifically verses 1 – 11, he addresses a specific audience.

Those who think they are superior because they judge others,

Paul is writing to a congregation that includes both Jews and Gentiles. The Jews had the Law and the Prophets, while the Gentiles had only their conscience. This distinction could easily lead to a sense of superiority among the Jews, who thought that their heritage and the Law made them righteous before God. Paul, however, levels the playing field, reminding them that mere possession of the Law does not exempt them from judgment.

Let’s talk about The Danger of Judgmentalism,

Look with me at verse one. Paul writes, quote,”Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges.” end quote., It’s important to recognize that judgment in itself isn’t wrong; we are called to discern right from wrong. However, when that judgment is hypocritical,. when we elevate ourselves above others while indulging in similar sins,. we tread into dangerous territory.

Paul is pulling back the veil on the attitudes of the Jewish audience, who distinctly saw themselves as righteous in God’s eyes. They looked down on Gentiles, assuming that their heritage and the Law provided them a unique status before God. But Paul is clear, our judgment is often a reflection of our own failings.

Consider a scenario from my own community. We have seen church leaders fall into scandal,. leaders who once preached passionately against sin. Yet, when they themselves were caught in the same web, the world observed a profound hypocrisy. We are admonished,. through Paul’s rebuke,. not to fall into this judgmental trap.

Judgmentalism can creep into our hearts in subtle ways. We may find ourselves critiquing the choices of others while ignoring our own shortcomings. In our desire to uphold righteousness, we can sometimes become self-righteous, forgetting that we, too, are in need of grace. The church must be a place of healing and restoration, not a courtroom of condemnation.

So what is The Reality of God’s Judgment?

God’s judgment is inherently just,. and impartial. It transcends human understanding of justice, ensuring that every action is evaluated according to divine standards. Unlike human systems of justice, which can be influenced by biases and corruption, God’s judgment is flawless. He sees the heart, and His assessments are grounded in absolute truth.

In verses 2 and 3, Paul declares, “We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do 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?”,

Here we must pause…

Paul is asserting that God’s judgment is fundamentally just. God does not turn a blind eye to sin. The same God who created the world in perfect justice will ensure that justice is served, not based upon human standards, but based on His righteous, holy standards. It’s a sobering reminder that we cannot escape God’s view, or His justice.

Imagine a courtroom where the judge is known for their unwavering integrity. A defendant stands accused of a crime, and the evidence is overwhelming. In that moment, the judge’s role is to uphold the law, ensuring that justice is served. Similarly, God, as the ultimate judge, will evaluate our lives against His standard of holiness. His judgment is not arbitrary; it is a reflection of His character.

In a world filled with moral relativism, it is comforting to know that God’s judgment is grounded in absolute truth. He sees beyond our facade and knows the intentions of our hearts. This should evoke both fear and awe. We are reminded that we are accountable for our actions, and we cannot hide from the gaze of the Almighty.

What about God’s Kindness and Patience?

Now we turn to a beautiful aspect of God’s character. Verse 4 states,. “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?”

This is crucial! God’s kindness is not something to be taken lightly. Many presume upon this kindness, as if it gives us a free pass to continue in sin. The Greek word used for presume means, “to think down on”, or to underestimate someone’s, or something’s value, and even to treat with contempt.  So friends, we must understand the purpose of His kindness: it is meant to lead us to repentance.

When’s the last time we reflected on the weight of this?, God’s grace should cause us to fall to our knees in gratitude, not to stand in judgment against others.

God’s patience reflects His desire for us to come to repentance. Second Peter, chapter 3, verse 9 says, He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. This understanding transforms our perspective on sin and judgment. Instead of viewing God’s kindness as a license to sin, we should see it as an invitation to change.

Consider a parent who patiently guides a child, offering love and correction. The parent does not want the child to face the consequences of their actions but hopes for a change of heart. Similarly, God desires for us to respond to His kindness with gratitude and transformation.

As we reflect on God’s patience in our lives, we should be inspired to extend that same kindness to others. When we encounter sin, instead of reacting with condemnation, let us respond with grace, inviting others to experience the transformative power of repentance.

Let’s discuss The Call to Repentance:

In verses 5 and 6, Paul says, “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. He will render to each one according to his works.”

Here lies a critical connection, our response to God’s kindness matters significantly. A hard heart leads to a life that is storing up wrath for the day of judgment. Yet, repentance leads to life! That is the crux of the Gospel. We must all confront our sin and turn from it.

Paul emphasizes that God’s judgment is not arbitrary but based on our actions. The notion of quote, “storing up wrath”, paints a vivid picture of the consequences of unrepentant sin. Each decision we make has eternal ramifications. We must be mindful of how we respond to God’s kindness.

Think about a time in your own life when you missed the call to repentance. Maybe it was in the form of denial or arrogance, believing that God’s kindness meant you were immune from accountability. Those moments are detrimental to our spiritual health.

Picture a bank account: with every sin unconfessed, you are accumulating debt that must be paid. Until you acknowledge that debt, and make a deposit of repentance, the account remains in the red. But when you turn to God, acknowledging your need for forgiveness, you make that deposit, and your account is credited with grace…

God’s Judgment is universal:

Let’s consider verses 7 through 10: quote, “To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”, end quote.

This passage underscores the universal nature of God’s judgment. It does not favor Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, believers will be judged based on their works when they are raptured and approach the judgement seat of Christ. The distinction here is not between believers and non-believers but involves the condition of the believers’ hearts and how they respond to God’s truth.

Additionally, verse 10 outlines the reward for those who pursue righteousness… eternal life! Our lives should reflect this pursuit. Our actions, our motives—everything should scream, “I belong to Christ.”

God’s impartial judgment reminds us that our status in society or within the church does not grant us favor. Instead, it is our faithfulness in following Christ that matters. Our choices reflect our commitment to Him, and He sees our efforts, even in the smallest acts of obedience.

Imagine an athlete training for a competition. They must put in countless hours of practice, pushing themselves beyond their limits to achieve their goal. In the same way, our spiritual lives require diligence and perseverance. We must actively seek to live righteously, understanding that our efforts are not in vain but are rewarded by God.

Finally, let’s focus on The Impartiality of God:

We arrive at verse 11, which says, “For God shows no partiality.” This verse is a proclamation of the impartial nature of God’s judgment. This is a refreshing truth in a world where favoritism and bias are rampant. God does not look at our outward appearances or our status; He looks at our hearts.

As believers, we must reflect this impartiality in our dealings with others. We are called to love our neighbor, regardless of their background or sin history. Judgment is reserved for God alone, and we must embrace our role as ambassadors of reconciliation, not judgment.

When we live out this truth, we create a community marked by love and acceptance. The church should be a sanctuary for those seeking grace, a place where individuals can come as they are and experience the transformative power of God’s love.

Think of a diverse family gathering. No matter their backgrounds or differences, the love within that family is what unites them. Similarly, the church is called to be a family where all are welcome. We must embody the love of Christ, breaking down barriers and celebrating our unity in Him.

As we conclude our time in Romans 2,:1-11, we must ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s kindness? Are we judging others while harboring similar sins in our hearts? Are we presuming upon His grace without true repentance?

The righteous judgment of God serves as both a warning and an invitation. It warns us against hypocrisy while inviting us into a relationship marked by humility, repentance, and a desire for transformation.

Let us pray that God would soften our hearts to embrace His kindness and righteousness and lead us to true repentance as we await His glorious return.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like and share it with others. It truly helps us spread the word of God.

For my information about this ministry, please visit, grace and wrath dot com. You can also send email to mark at grace and wrath dot com.

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More Season 2 Coming up on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms.