Romans 2:14-16, Judgement According to the Gospel
Romans 2:14-16 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
The Apostle Paul gave the divine verdict concerning God’s judgement on mankind. It shall be according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. No man can be reconciled with God without receiving the merits of Christ for himself. The good news is that man and woman can be saved from the eternal judgement of God in hell fire by putting on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And there is no salvation outside Jesus Christ. Isn’t it unfair for the gentiles? Unlike the Jews, they did not have the opportunity to know the law of God and the way of salvation! The Apostle Paul tells us that God has placed in man a conscience, the ability to discern between good and evil, right and wrong. The depraved nature of man and his inability to keep the laws of God renders him guilty before God because his own conscience would rebuke him. Therefore, he cannot stand justified before God.
This is the scene at the final day of judgement at the Great White throne recorded for our admonition in Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Man will be judged according to their deeds in the day of God’s judgement. And his conscience would tell him honestly that he is guilty. He had done wrong. Indeed, only those whose names are written in the book of life shall escape being cast into the lake of fire. And the gentiles cannot plead ignorance of their sins before God. What a powerful presentation of the truth which the Apostle Paul is building up to help them realise the preciousness of the gospel that he would present to them. The gospel message that Jesus Christ died for our sins and three days later rose from the dead for our justification. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
May God prepare us better to be His witness wherever he brings us today! Amen.