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But because of 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. Romans 2:5


Pastor Abel’s sermon on this passage is titled “Judging Others.”


Wouldn’t it be nice if, for every criminal trial in America, the judge could simply look into
a crystal ball and determine the absolute truth of the defendant’s guilt or innocence?
Think of the time (not to mention money) this would save! Think of the innocent people
who would not be condemned. And no guilty criminal would escape justice.


Well, one of the earliest laws that God gave his people, shortly after he gave the Ten
Commandments to Moses, shows that this is exactly the kind of judge God is. Only, he
doesn’t need a crystal ball because he already knows.


If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from
the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. If the thief is not
found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not
he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. ... The one whom God
condemns shall pay double to his neighbor. (Exodus 22:7-9, ESV)


God is the perfect judge because he cannot be fooled. He sees everything, and he
knows everything. While this is great news for anyone who has never done anything
wrong, it can also be frightening. You see, God doesn’t judge people based on human
laws. His standard is his own holiness!


“…but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is
written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16, ESV)


Compared to the inmates in your local supermax, I am not that bad if I do say so myself.
But when you put my record up against the standard of God’s holiness, I am as sinful
and wicked as they come. We all are.


Go Deeper / Questions