βWe are sure that the judgment of God is according to truthβ¦β
The first 15 verses of Romans 2 always make me think of our Lordβs dealings with the rich young ruler of Luke 18: 18,19. βGood Master,β the ruler had said, βwhat shall I do to inherit eternal life?β
The Lord answered in effect: βWhy do you call Me good? There is none good but God, so if I am good I must be God. But do you want to know what to do to inherit eternal life? Simply obey the Law, the Ten Commandments.β
Our Lord, of course, was trying to show the young man that it was impossible to earn salvation by doing good. To keep the Law was impossible for any child of fallen Adam, and breaking the Law could only bring condemnation. Now this absolute justice is the basis for the believerβs confidence in God.
It is wonderful to know that God does not merely pity sinners and smuggle them into heaven if they are sorry. If He did, someone in heaven could point an accusing finger at this writer and say: βWhat, you here!β Thank God, He has rather taken us before the bar of justice, pronouncing us guilty, but has stepped down, as it were, to pay the penalty for our sins Himself, then justly declaring us righteous! This is why salvation, in Scripture, is based upon Christβs payment of our just debt. This is why Rom.Β 3:24Β declares that believers are βjustified freely, by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.β
βThat as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lordβ (Rom.Β 5:21). source
