“ But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  “

Let’s continue.

“ But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. “

This is interesting.

Paul said;

“ But we are sure “

Who are the “ we “ that Paul is referring to here?

It is quite clear at the beginning of the book of Romans Paul is writing to the church of followers of Jesus Christ in Rome.

“ Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. “    Romans 1:6-8

Since Paul has described humanity as a whole in chapter one, he continues to decribe human beings in general who judge in the way of bringing condemnation to those who commit sin while they themselves commit sin.

This kind of hypocritical judgment is not true judgment.

Paul describes God’s judgment as true judgment;

“ But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. “

God can and has the right to judge human beings.

And He certainly will some day.

Since the people Paul is writing this book to in Rome are followers of Jesus Christ and are of “ the faith “, it could be that Paul is including them in his statement;

“ But we are sure “

Paul could have been including the followers of Jesus at Rome in this statement saying  that not only Paul knew but since they belong to Jesus they also know that God’s judgment is true.

Paul continues describing humanity as a whole.

“ And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  “

According to the Holy Bible every human being will be judged by the living God.

Solomon said;

“ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.  “   Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

This knowledge of a coming judgment on an individual and personal basis is also in the conscience of every human being.

If you remember in an earlier study I did in chapter one of Romans Paul said;

“ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. “   Romans 1:18-19

Every human being knows that we will have to stand in judgment before God and give an account of the life we lived here on earth.

While there seems to be different time points for judgments other than the White Throne Judgment, the Bible indicates there are 2 types of judgment for human beings.

One type of judgment is for the unsaved - that is, people who reject Jesus Christ God’s Son. People who end up at this judgment are doomed to eternal hell simply because they rejected God’s only plan of salvation, Jesus Christ.

However, it does not stop with this.

People who end up at this judgment will be judged by their works here on earth which will determine the degree of punishment they will receive in eternal hell. Some people in eternal hell will suffer worse than others, according to the Bible…determined by their works here on earth.

For example Jesus said;

“ And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. “    Mark 6:11

This is the type of judgment you do not want to be at.

The other type of judgment is for those who do follow Jesus Christ.

The people who end up at this judgment are those who believe in God’s only plan of salvation, Jesus Christ.

While their destiny in Heaven is signed, sealed and delivered by the Holy Spirit of God simply because these people put their inner faith in God’s only plan of salvation Jesus Christ, their guarantee to enter Heaven and be there with God forever is not a concern for them.

What is a concern is they will also have to be judged for their works, even though the outcome of this type of judgment will not send them to eternal hell as will the other type of judgment.

This type of judgment is for rewards or lack thereof and only applies to their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Just as the Bible promises judgment for those who reject God’s only plan of salvation Jesus Christ, so the Bible promises judgment for those who believe in God’s only plan of salvation, Jesus Christ.

Just as there will be people who will suffer worse than other people in eternal hell depending on the result of their judgment, so in Heaven there will be people who will be lesser and greater, depending on the result of their judgment as a follower of Jesus Christ.

For example Jesus said;

" Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. "    Matthew 5:19

 Jesus also said;

" But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. "    Mark 10:31

Paul said;

“ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. “   2 Corinthians 5:10

Peter said;

“ For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? “             1 Peter 4:17-18

The writer of Hebrews said;

“ For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. “      Hebrews 10:30-31

James said;

“ Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. “     James 5:9

Jesus Himself said;

“ And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. “     Revelation 22:12

My friend, we know in our conscience that we will be judged by God some day.

God gave us this knowledge when He created us.

My evangelical friend, there is a perverted trend within the church today that living in obedience unto the faith is now considered “ legalism.”

If you want to fall for that perversion, that is your choice.

It is church leaders who call trying to please God as a follower of Jesus Christ " legalism " who I personally believe Jesus is referring to when He said;

" Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. "     Matthew 5:19

and when Jesus said;

" But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. "   Mark 10:31

Living in obedience unto God as a follower of Jesus Christ His Son is not “ legalism.”

But believe what you want.

According to the Bible even we as followers of Jesus Christ will stand in judgment someday just as the unsaved will… not for the same reason as they will be judged but for a very important reason nevertheless.

I will continue with verse 4 in the next study.

Wayne Brown