Articles
Not How To Be Saved
Not How To Be Saved
“6 who [God] will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.” (Romans 2:6-8)
While this sounds like a way to be right with God, the overall context of this passage leads us to a different conclusion. Chapter one introduces the fact that the gospel of Christ is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (1:16).
That was followed by showing that the Gentile world had indeed sinned and was lost: “32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.” (1:32)
Towards the end of chapter 2 and on into chapter 3, we see that the Jewish people, although they had many advantages which Gentiles did not have, they yet sinned. The catalogue in 3:10-18 includes many quotes from the Covenant that God had made with Israel, which covenant they repeatedly broke. The Conclusion then is the often quoted verse in 3:23: “… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
What we see here in early part of chapter 2 is not how one is right with God, for there are none that have consistently followed such teaching. Rather, it shows us the righteous judgment of God against any and all sin – a judgement that will include all men – Gentile and Jewish alike.
THUS, this section closes out with one of the most cherished sections: 3:21-31 which declares that justification is based upon TRUST in God and forgiveness of our sins by which we find redemption and propitiation (turning away the wrath of God). God’s justice will be righteous, universal, complete, and according to truth. Thank the LORD for mercy and forgiveness through Jesus!
Hugh DeLong
