The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Four

"Stop and Turn"


Romans 2:1-16 (NLT) You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
   But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
   When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Everyone has secrets. Everyone sins. Everyone fails. EVERYONE! There is no one who can get it right on their own. There is an innate sense of right and wrong in every person. Some choose to ignore it while still some make up their own rules. I'm no different. I can always come up with some reason for my actions whether good or bad.

The truth is that God gave us ten guidelines that reflect who He is. They are part of His personality and character. If you want to know God, read these and see. I'm going to attempt to make the ten commandments describe His qualities in my own words. Here goes:

1. God is great and there is no one greater.
2. He's authentic. No one can be created to be like Him.
3. He's pure and only holy can describe Him.
4. In Him we find rest. He wants His creation to fin rest in Him.
5. He's the perfect parent and holds parenthood in high regard.
6. He doesn't murder. He loves life because He created it.
7. He's committed to those He loves. He detests adultery knowing it tears down the family.
8. He's honest. Everything He says is truth.
9. He doesn't lie ~ EVER! He doesn't need to. (Really no one does!)
10. He doesn't want what anyone else has. He is Creator God and doesn't need anything.

How can we base our lives on His life? He sent His Son Jesus, who is the exact representation of Him, to this world to be an example for us. Jesus never sinned. When He confronted sin, He didn't dwell on the sin but on the turning from it. Read the story of the woman who was in adultery and was about to be stoned. Jesus stopped the stoning, but left her with the instructions to stop sinning.

Here are some examples of what Jesus said to some people who He had healed:
John 5: 14 (NLT)But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 


John 8:10-12 (NLT) Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
   “No, Lord,” she said.
    And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Just stop and turn. Stop judging. Start loving. Stop sinning and follow Jesus. It's so simple and yet so hard. Paul tells us in verse 5 that we keep on the way we always do because we are stubborn and unrepentant. We don't want to be wrong. We want to be justified in our actions. It's a battle as old as time and yet God has given us a way out. The way out is through faith in Jesus.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT) If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

When you find yourself up against the wall, turn around and see that Jesus has made a way out of the situation. All you have to do is go to Him. Ask Him to help. If you think you don't need Him and can get out of the situation or don't think the situation is that bad of a sin, think again. If you listen, your spirit will tell you.

We all know what's right and wrong, especially if we have been raised in church or synagogue. Our hearts may have hardened and we believe our own press, but God knows the truth. If we choose to live according to the commandments without Jesus, then we will fail because He is the Only One who has conquered sin and death. If we live for and with Him He prompts us to live according to God's precepts.

Do you want to live a "right relationship" with God? It is only through Jesus we can. We all fall short and trip up, but because of Jesus' love and forgiveness, we can all be healed, brush ourselves off and live our lives for Him until He takes us home. His grace is sufficient to cover anything you or I have ever done. Trust Him.