◄ What Does Romans 2:11 Mean? ►

Paul is stressing the serious consequences that will befall all those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, for the lives of all who are not positioned in Christ are rooted and grounded in sin, Satan, lies, and deceit.

Paul is clearly warning of the unavoidable judgement that is waiting for those who do evil and obey unrighteousness. Such men and women have rejected God's free gift of salvation by faith and have lives that are characterised by conflict with God, discord with God, disobedience towards God, and the disputing the truth of of God's Word.

The gospel message is clear and uncompromising; that those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are not under condemnation, but have passed from death to life. But those who have rejected God's gracious offer of salvation are already condemned, because they have not believed on the only begotten Son of God.

God's Word is easy to understand. It is changeless and unchangeable, and God is faithful, fair, and no respecter of persons. God had made it clear in His Word that every man will be judged according to his works, and God will render to each person according to their deeds. God does not favour one above another, and all are judged according to the same criteria.

All who have trusted Christ for salvation have already had their sins judged at the Cross. They have been forgiven and will receive eternal life. They are already clothed in spiritual honour, glory, immortality, and Christ's righteousness, and will also receive rewards for any good work carried out in spirit and in truth, but they will also suffer loss of reward for fleshly works. However, all who have rejected God's gracious offer of salvation are under condemnation and will be judged according to their own good works, and not the good work that Christ accomplished for them on the Cross on their behalf. But they will be found wanting, for all good works carried out in the flesh are filthy rags by comparison with Christ's finished work on Calvary.

Unbelievers are those who are self-centred and not Christ-centred. They are those that are self-seeking and not Christ-seeking. They do not follow the Way and obey the Truth but rather they go their own way, they disobey the truth, and in so doing they reject God's free offer of salvation; the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus (which is accessed by faith) for God's wrath was poured out upon Him in our stead and we have been forgiven and have received the gift of eternal life by God's grace and through faith in Christ.

But every soul of man who does evil by rejecting God's free offer of salvation, is condemned already. They do not obey the truth. They follow after unrighteousness instead of trusting in Christ; and sin is crouching at their door. And because God is no respecter of persons, He will render to every man according to his works. To those who have believed in Christ, salvation. But unbelievers will receive indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, because they have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the free gift of salvation that is offered to all men, and in Your mercy and grace, Christ died for us and took the punishment that we deserve. Thank You, Lord, that it is not Your will that any should perish. I pray that many unbelievers will have their hearts softened and come to know Christ as Saviour, before it is too late. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.