Application of Romans 2:1-11

*Remember Romans 1:16-17; 3:21 when reading from this section of Romans that deals with the doctrine of Total Depravity, which spans Romans 1:18-3:20*

• Think of and share a time when you were quick to condemn someone (i.e. you believed they were just totally irredeemable).
  • This could be a situation where someone either did something horrible to you or just did something foolish.
  • (For example: have you ever been at the receiving end of a rumor or gossip? Were you quick to condemn the person who started it? Have you ever been a part of gossip, as most of us have?)
  • Were you as quick to forgive or move on from the offense as you were to condemn them?
  • When condemning them, did you evaluate your own behavior as well to see how you have found yourself doing the same thing?
  • When we condemn other people for something without realizing that we do the same condemnable thing, we are hypocritical judges, and this is the type of judgment the Bible is against (cf. Matt 7:1-5).

• As with last week, we let Scripture expose these things about us from the passage:
  • We do foolish, wrong, and wicked things.
  • We often know better but do it anyway.
  • We condemn others for doing the same thing.

• Evaluate yourself in light of this passage by thoughtfully reflecting everyday ways in which you are guilty of these three things.

• But remember that guilt before God for our sin doesn’t have to get the last word—Christ’s righteousness on our behalf can speak last if we trust Him, follow Him, and turn from our sin.
  • Remember Romans 1:16-17—God gives righteousness to those who believe in Him.
  • Remember Romans 3:21—even though God’s law shows us our wickedness, righteousness is given to us apart from the condemnation of the law.
  • In Christ, our actions no longer condemn us; Christ’s righteousness and our trust in Him saves us.