“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another [to be wrong in what they do], you condemn yourself; for you that judges do the same things”(Rom 2:1)
Our only hope is Jesus Christ the Lord. No man stands meritoriously with God, because we’re worthy of wrath. We have sinned and do sin against God, so we must be SAVED by Jesus bearing our sins, being justified by faith in Him, or we cannot stand - “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness“ (Rom 1:18). We are not GOOD enough to stand on our own, for there is none good but God (Matt 19:16-17). We can obtain mercy, but we can’t say, “Pay me” and expect less than wrath.
(1) We are ungodly to the point of rejecting light - “because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four–footed beasts, and creeping things.” (Ro 1:19-23 ASV) Even though we know that He’s true, we choose the way of sin, because we are cursed to love sin and to hate God as just penalty for our Adamic rebellion (Rom 5:12). Now, we love evil and hate the good.
(2) Only Jesus obeyed God, and if we’re saved, it’s because He paid for us and God views us RIGHTEOUS by faith - “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith“ (Rom 1:16-17). Because Christ did everything to save the elect, the believer is JUSTIFIED freely and may have the blessing. But, apart from this justification, wrath hovers over us and awaits our end, to punish us forever (vs18).
Men say, “I can stand on my own”, but do you see the list of crimes (Rom 1:26-32)? This is God’s point of view, that you and I are wicked next to Him, that we do things abominable, and even the things that we SEE in others and despise, we do ourselves, for all hate, sin, steal, lie, cheat, and murder, because this is in the heart of man, even if hidden in many actions - “For from within, ot of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickednesses, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:21-23).
No one but the Lord pleases God. Will you be saved, or will you perish, sinning against light - not only of nature (God in the stars), but also in grace? Will you forsake the only hope you have?
(3) Paul preached the gospel because the wrath of God was real, so he was indebted to save men, in response to Christ’s call and commission - “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also“ (Rom 1:14-15). You and I are to preach the gospel to save hell-bound men, knowing that the issues are GREATER than our own personal happiness. Eternal souls are being saved and lost, and if you think sovereignty excuses responsibility, then you’re wrong. Sovereignty no more excuses the preacher from preaching and pleading, than it excuses the sinner from hearing and believing. We’re under orders, and because hell is eternal and hot, we are compelled to minister to men. Our mind isn’t, “The elect shall be saved, the rest blinded, and we will not care to trouble ourselves about it“. But, we strive to preach Christ and we beg God for opportunity to minister to SAINTS and sinners, so they can be saved.
The faith of the gospel saves, and all else is tragedy. Do you BELIEVE the Son and send His gospel to others, or do you think that you’ll escape some other way?
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