As we study Romans Chapter 2, we must remember that at the writing Roman society was a hardened culture that thrilled to the age and sounds of combat by the gladiators.  The crowds literally enjoyed watching men and animals fight to the death in the coliseum.  It was a time when human life was cheap. At this time the Roman Church membership probably had slave owners.  We must remember that Roman law allowed the slave owner unlimited power and authority over their human property.  A story told by the Bible Commentator William Barclay is the story of a poor slave that tripped and fell and broke a tray of priced crystal cups.  "The wealthy owner was so angry he threw the slave into a pool that was full of savage lampreys that tore him from limb to limb and devoured his living flesh."

Also in the context of this scripture, it is evident that many in the Church at Rome were Jews who thought they were better than the Gentiles.  Read Chapter 2 verses 1-11.

What’s interesting to keep in mind is that some of the Jews at the time thought that they were so favored by God that as the dead arrived the pearly gates, they believed Father Abraham would allow only Jews to enter through the pearly gates into paradise. The Gentiles where not allowed in.

Indeed the Roman society was a dark and sophisticated society.  This scripture appears like a bright light.  In Paul’s day the gospel was like a bright light as it was preached and it touched lives.  As the people responded to the message of a loving savior, this message; the gospel brought love, compassion and mercy to a harden society.  The gospel continues to do a miracle even today of allowing God’s spirit to take a heart of stone and to make it a heart of flesh. I trust as you study this book with me that you will allow God’s spirit to speak to you.

In verse 1 of Chapter 2, Paul says, “ you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

In I Samuel 16:7 concerning the selection of one of Jesse’s son’s Eliab, the Lord said to Samuel, “do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.  For the Lord does not see as the man sees; for man looks on the outside appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”.

Once the gospel becomes part of us and we are quicken, made alive like it says in Eph. 2:1, we are not to go around criticizing or find fault with others or putting the other down when they fail.  Judging here literally means to criticize, to find fault or to condemn.  Judging raises self and lowers others.  In the eyes of God this is sin.  If one does this he or she is full of self-righteousness and full of pride and arrogance.

In some of our Moravian villages I believe that there has been an unofficial practice of recognizing 1^st or 2^nd Elders on church boards who literally have made important decisions over and on behalf of boards without due process and this has caused some difficulty among our brothers and sisters in the villages.  I’m hoping this is rare.  According to the Alaska Moravian Church Book of Order, as I read it, there is no hierarchy!  When the Church congregational boards meet they run by the Roberts Rule of Order.  From the guidance the Anchorage Moravian Church boards received from Foraker training, Roberts Rule should be only a guide which bring order to disorder; and everyone must have a voice; even the smallest voice should be given opportunity to speak, so that consensus builds in the decision making process.

It is apparent that our Yupik culture as rich and as important as it is has or can hurt the church decision making process, especially when it comes to meeting the needs of the young people in the Church.  Yupik Culture and values are important; these values should be inputted into the decision making process as long as everyone on the board is able to vote on the issue in question.  So too all board members have an equal vote; it is my prayer that there will be more order in our congregations as Elders submit to one another and recognize that they truly are brothers and sisters.  Also once the vote in a church board meeting is taken, everyone should fall behind the decision even if it means making changes in leadership or the way we do things in the church.  This way order is preserved in the Church.

In the latter days there will be false teachers and leaders in the Church.  Paul recognizes this in his writings; in verse 3, I believe what Paul is saying is that there are people that may be functioning as leaders or congregants that are critical and hurtful of others.  Also like the Pharisees they would never dream that they will be rejected.  I think we would agree that one who makes it a habit of judging others is in danger of being rejected by God.  Paul says God will render to each one according to his deeds.

Paul alludes to a reckoning day.  Is Judgment Day coming?  Yes it is.  There is reward and punishment coming.  Where are you in your walk.  If judging others is a sin, I would lovingly admonish you to seek forgiveness of God.  Judging others is a sin against God; seek forgiveness.  Once forgiveness is sought a good thing to do is to reach out to help those who sin and who fail.  Go to them and say I am concerned about you; don’t judge another; go to them and edify, uplift them.  Imagine what the world would be like if all tongues were stopped.  If this was so, the church pews would be more full than they are now.

Paul prepares the Jewish audience at Rome to understand that the gospel is for everyone.  In verse 11 we see there that God treats everyone the same; there is no partiality with God.

According to verse 16, every evil doer, whether it be a Jew or Greek; will be judged by God.  It says, “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

In closing we all have behaviors or attitudes that needs adjustment.  How can we begin to change some inconsistent behaviors in your Christian life?  It begins with understanding what Paul says in Chapter 2.  It is clear in the later part of chapter 2 that we should watch our profession.  If we break one law, we are guilty of all.  None of us can keep the law, so we are all under judgment.  This should give us humility.

A true Jew is one not on who is circumcised in the flesh, but a true Jew in the sight of God is one who has a change of heart.  In verse 29 Paul says, “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Truly, when we ask God into our hearts and submit we are born again.  We have new values.  After finding this new life, we need to look at our attitudes and values and make certain that they are the values that Christ wants our hearts.  A big value we should learn is to not criticize, but to uplift one another.  Amen.

© Copyright 2006 Anchorage Moravian Church
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