Romans 2
“Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?,” Paul asked in verse 4.
First, Paul is talking about valuing God’s love and mercy, not only to draw the lost person to trust the Father; but also to lead that person to the surrender and obedience of faith. There are two extremes of this truth that get a Christian into error. One extreme of this truth is a belief that we have to be hard and judgmental of people in order for us to be considered consecrated to God. I’ve seen leaders use guilt to make Christians feel they are failing God unless they condemn others; thus they are continually finding fault and pushing people away from them. The another extreme if when people are so merciful that they excuse and overlook harmful, sinful behavior. God’s love is meant to bring us to a place where God can transform us into the image of Christ. Let’s find TRUTH, and stay away from those two ditches of extreme.
In verse 6, Paul writes that God will “render to each one according to his deeds.” There will be rewards in heaven, and those rewards will vary based on our obedience on the earth. God does not condemn us here, so we can know He is not going to condemn the Christian there. If God chooses to forgive and forget our past wrongs through our repentance on the earth, then we can be confident He isn’t ever going to bring up those past sins ever again. Our sins are in a sea of forgetfulness, never to be drudged up. Our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west, a distance that our minds can’t even fathom.
In verse 10, Paul addresses Jews and Gentiles, saying there is not partiality with God. Both are guilty of sin; both are in need of a Savior. He also addresses the Jews in regard to keeping the Law and circumcision. Paul also writes that the Gentiles can receive Christ without the old covenant ritual of circumcision. The aim for both is a clean heart, washed in the blood of Jesus, walking with God in righteousness and a clear conscience.
Psalms 65-67
Psalm 65 is written by David, a praise to God for His salvation.
The first half of Psalm 66 (verses 1-12) is about corporate praise for what God does for the whole of Israel, and the second half (verses 13-20) are praises for what God does us personally. In verse 10, the writer says, “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.” God loves us as we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us there. There are new heights in God with new levels of wholeness and freedom!
When the Hebrews mentioned a face shining, they were referring to the smile of approval, the favor of God, the mercy of God. In Psalm 67, God’s favor has a purpose for Israel – the purpose of showing the rest of the world who He is!
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