"Judge Not, Lest...."
“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Today’s Scripture: Romans 2:1-11
2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Paul’s point here is that we tend to judge ourselves by our intentions and other people by their actions—we give ourselves a pass for the very same sins that we point out in others. And if your sins haven’t yet caught up with you, that’s only because God is showing you forbearance because he wants to give you time to repent!
5 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. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
Because, sooner or later, every person will face judgment; no one gets to avoid it:
“For God does not show favoritism.”
Paul will go on from here to explain how the Jews are in no better position than are the Gentiles.
The Good News? The gospel is for both Gentiles and Jews.