Day 224.
Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:3-5 ESV)
Chapter 2 leads us to see that we too are included among those who are guilty before God. Paul explains how both the apparent faithful Jew is guilty by God’s law, and even the Gentile who does not have God’s law is guilty, even according to his own conscience. Circumcision for the Jew is no safeguard either. It is presumptuous to assume that circumcision or even God’s grace (apart from Jesus, whom Paul will soon expound upon) will save a person. God’s grace doesn’t undo the law, as Paul is explaining in these verses, but rather becomes a measure of grace as it serves to lead people to see their need and break them before God as it leads them to repentance. The chapter concludes by showing us that God knows the deepest, darkest secrets of our hearts. We lie completely exposed before Him.
Do you acknowledge your sin before God and allow your sin to be called sin?
McCheyne’s Bible Reading Plan: 1 Sa 2, Ro 2, Jer 40, Lk 9
I find it easy to acknowledge my sin as a whole, but rather terrifying to take the time in prayer to confess my individuals sins. Would that I could stay focused on God’s grace rather than listening to the Accuser….I think that should send me running to Christ knowing the grace that awaits me.