THE ROMAN ROAD- "Judged -- Heaven or Hell"

THE ROMAN ROAD
“Judged –Heaven or Hell”
Romans 2:6-10
December 7, 2011

Mankind is divided into two classes. Those who obey God and those who do not. There is a sharp dividing line between the two and that dividing line is the Cross of Calvary. On one side of the Cross there is a group that is characterized as those who seek glory, honor and incorruption. On the other side is the rest of the human race. In both cases, each person will be judged by God. No one is going to escape His judgment.

Paul is writing to the Jews who thought that they were above the judgment of God because they were God’s chosen people. But Paul makes it clear that they are dead wrong and that no one

IS GOING TO ESCAPE JUDGMENT -- Romans 2:6 (NASB) “God, who will render to every man according to his deeds:”

Note that this judgment is based on our deeds. That does not mean that faith is not necessary. On the contrary, there is no such thing as faith without works. Nor are there righteous and acceptable works without faith. The works that please God and that are truly of God are the result of faith.

Man believes in and works for many different things – religion, service organizations, social clubs etc. But God has a demand for mankind that says that man must believe in Him and work for Him reaching out to a world that is lost.

When a person truly believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, they will work for the kingdom of God. They are more interested in impacting the kingdom of God than they are the kingdom of darkness. And as we walk with Christ, the Holy Spirit will show us what and how we should do that. That is the reason that this church has made a decision to discontinue the harvest festival on Halloween.

That particular event, while billed as an outreach to the community, nonetheless does nothing to promote the Light of Christ and His kingdom but rather promotes the darkness of Satan and his kingdom. And the church of Jesus Christ has no business promoting, supporting, sponsoring, coordinating or assisting in anyway the kingdom of darkness. We are here for the explicit purpose of glorifying and exalting Jesus Christ. We are NOT here to glorify, advance or promote Satan and his kingdom.

God is either going to reward or punish every man according to what he/she has done for God. We’re not talking about salvation by works. Salvation is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And salvation is MAINTAINED by faith in Jesus Christ. That, however, doesn’t set aside the importance of good deeds or accepting the responsibility for doing bad deeds. All believers will have to give an account as will all unbelievers. Now, let’s take a look at:

THE REWARD OF TRUE CHRISTIANS -- Romans 2:7 ` to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;

There are some things that we need to consider when we look at the reward of the true Christian. First, note that these well doers of God:

SEEK GLORY, HONOR AND IMMORTALITY –The Greek word for “glory” is doxa (DOX-ah) which means to possess and to be full of perfect light; to dwell in perfect light, brilliance, splendor, brightness, luster, and magnificence with God.

The Greek word for “honor” is time (tim-MAY) which means to be acknowledged, recognized, approved, accepted, esteemed and exalted by God. It means to be privileged and exalted to a position of responsibility and service to God.

The Greek word for “immortality” is aphtharsia (af-thar-SEE-ah) which means living forever with God in a world that will last forever. Note that the Christians see this glory, honor and immortality:

WITH PERSEVERANCE -- The Greek word for “perseverance” is proskarterēsis (pros-car-TEAR-ay-sis) and it means to be steadfast and constant. It means to endure and continue. So what’s being said here is that the true Christian in seeking for glory, honor and immortality does not just start seeking but he finishes seeking. It means that they continue to live with good deeds and doesn’t give into hardship, or difficulties or opposition.

Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." The reward for their perseverance:

IS ETERNAL LIFE -- Their life will be one of inheriting a world of glory, honor and peace. Now, let’s consider:

THE REWARD OF THE WICKED -- Romans 2:8 "....but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. The wicked and evil of this world will be judged...."

ARE SELF SEEKING AGAINST GOD -- They don’t like what God says so they fight against it. They simply refuse to buckle under and surrender their lives to God and His will. They are interested only in dealing with what they find pleasing instead of what pleases God. The fact it that no one should argue with God, or bargain with God or question God. The truth is that God always has our best interests at heart. In all honesty, this contention against God is the main problem with the world.

They don’t want to obey God, or follow God so they deny Him and resist Him. The attempt to ignore Him and they then make up their own religion which they claim is serving God when, in fact, it is self serving. That is contention against God. The end result is twofold in that:

THE WICKED WILL NOT ESCAPE -- Romans 2:9 "There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, . God’s judgment will involve His wrath and anger, and the wicked will experience trouble and distress."

The Greek word for “tribulation” is thilipsis and it means oppression, suffering, and affliction. The Greek word for “distress” is stenochoria (sten-ok-o-REEH-ah) which means to be put into a narrow place; to experience extreme pain, sorrow and affliction.

This is the reward for those who will not surrender to God, who refuse the truth of God, and who persist in doing evil. Finally:

THE CHRISTIAN WILL BE REWARD – Romans 2:10 "....but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

No true Christian will be overlooked. They will receive immortality, glory, honor, and peace. Everyone will be on equal footing at the judgment seat of Christ. In the Old Testament scheme of things, the Jews believed that they were better than anyone else because they were God’s people. But in the New Testament covenant, everyone is equal. At the foot of the Cross, the ground is level.

Father, as believers in Jesus Christ, we look forward to that time when we will receive our reward from you for our belief and trust in Christ that directs our life to do good. Help us to live daily with that understanding that, no matter, how bad things get in this world, we have the promise of Your Word that the wicked will receive their reward for their unbelief. Yet, Father, we know that You don’t want anyone to perish. Grant us the grace to let the Light of Jesus show through us so that all men will be drawn to Him. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.