Romans 2:1-11: God Doesn't Play Favorites

  • Lance Lefler
  • Feb 14, 2010
  • Series: the Gospel

In Romans chapter 2 Paul turns his attention from the sin of the nations to the sin of Israel.  His concern is their hypocrisy, judging the pagans while engaging in the same sins.  The only way they could do this and still sleep at night was by trusting in certain Jewish "identity markers" that distinguished them from the nations: circumcision, sabbath, food laws, etc.

Christians do the same thing today, trusting in our church membership, our baptism, our tithe record, the fact we don't listen to secular music, or drink, or smoke, or dress immodestly, or celebrate Halloween or let our kids watch "Twilight."  Or the fact that we have a "quiet time" with the Lord everyday and pray before meals and support missionaries.

But God is pulling these identity markers out from under them.  And us.  It is our curse to turn our eyes away from God to trust in our Christian identity.