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. God “will repay everyone according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self–seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges everyone’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. ROMANS 2:5-16 NIV
A loving God judges because…
Love demands justice
So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God. HOSEA 12:6 ESV
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? MICAH 6:8 ESV
Love holds people accountable
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. ROMANS 14:12 NLT
Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. HEBREWS 13:17 NLT
When I believe I am accountable to God, I will be responsible toward others.
- According to my understanding
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. ROMANS 2:12 NIV
To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. MATTHEW 25:15 NIV
For God does not show favoritism. ROMANS 2:11 NIV
- According to my opportunity
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. EPHESIANS 5:15-17 NIV
- According to my obedience
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. ROMANS 2:13 NIV
Love rewards faithfulness
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. ROMANS 2:7 NIV
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:10 ESV
Jesus said … “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what they have done.” REVELATION 22:12 NIV
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Get away to your favorite quiet spot for a few moments to mull over the weekend’s message and spend time with God. Invite him into your time. Ask yourself, “What about the sermon stands out to me?” Ask him, “What makes it hard for me to accept your justice when you are a loving God? Help me remember an experience of your justice that makes me question your love. What is your perspective on this situation?” He longs to give you understanding when you are confused or lack understanding of him. Reflect on the part of the sermon that states that God’s love holds people accountable. What feelings surface as you think about this truth? Ask God to help you discern if these feelings reveal any misunderstanding you have about him being both just and loving. Recall a time in which you were held accountable for a wrong action taken, and how good came from it. Thank God for his goodness he showed you in this situation. Pray God would show you an area of your life where you need greater accountability. Ask him to guide you in taking one action this week to receive this accountability. Thank him for what he is going to do and share with someone you trust how he works in this situation.
Discussion Questions
- What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
- Read Romans 14:12. When have you personally experienced a lack of justice and what hope does it give you that, one day, everyone will receive God’s perfect justice?
- Read Hosea 12:6. As you think about your life and relationships, where do you see the concepts of love and justice intertwined or dependent upon each other?
- Read Romans 2:5-11. In what practical ways does knowing that God will one day hold you accountable for what you have done (or not done) helped you become a better person?
- Continue reading Romans 2:12-16. As you think forward to the day when you will stand before God and receive his justice, which part of his judgement has you the most concerned and why?
- Read 2 Corinthians 5:10. We often think of God’s judgement in only negative terms. However, this passage reminds us that God rewards those who follow him. In what ways have you been rewarded by following God’s law and/or what reward are you most looking forward to? Why?
