judging others

Good morning brothers and sisters,
After getting into the chaos that comes into our lives when we focus on things instead of God, Paul turns his attention to self-righteousness. He suspects that some of his readers will be proud of themselves since they don't fit the pattern he described in the last chapter. He warns these readers that God's wrath is especially powerful against those who judge others while also living in sin. It may be human nature to feel good about ourselves when we think about what other people do wrong. Instead, thinking about any kind of sin should remind us of our own shortcomings and lead us to repentance. God's mercy is amazing, so the invitation to repent and change our ways is always open.

Blessings,
Sam

Romans 2:1-8

Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2You say, “We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.” 3Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5But by 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. 6For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: 7to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.