Paul, after explaining the downward spiral of living apart from God, quickly reminds his readers that we have no room to judge sinful people. The primary reason is because we are sinful people too! Whether one is a total godless heathen, a strict and religious Jew or somewhere in between, we all know what a good life looks like and fail to achieve that on our own.
Paul was quick to clarify that he understands why the religious feel like they do better by checking off boxes. He gets that people without a strict code still get how to live an ethical and selfless life. No matter, though, because the rules and laws do not suffice–it is the walk with Jesus that makes the difference.
As His chosen, we still struggle sometimes with wanting to catalogue all the “good” that we do and ignore our “little indiscretions” and somehow justify our lives. The bottom-line is whether we are Jew, gentile, or out and out heathen it will never happen, so do not go there!
Be thrilled that our Lord provided justification through His sacrifice. Accept the gift, adopt the faith, and embrace the life. Then and now, that is the only way to experience God’s forgiveness and eternal life. What is more, that is the only way have a full, peaceful, and meaningful life here and now.
God Bless You
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
Walking With God 