Lastly in verses 12-16 we see the perfection of God’s judgment because He judges everyone with faultless discrimination. Again our text stresses that whether a person has access to God’s Word or not, he will be judged by his deeds, and when he falls short he will indeed be lost (vv. 12-13). Paul anticipates that some may think this is unfair because the Jews have had the advantage of God’s written Word. So he explains how perfectly discriminating God is in applying His judgment (vv. 14-15). Paul says that while the Gentiles do not have the Law written in their hearts, not even the Ten Commandments, nevertheless “the work of the law is written on their hearts.” That is, they know the moral standard of God.

With incredible discrimination God judges those lacking His Word by how well they live according to the sense of right and wrong in their hearts. God’s judgment is so perfect that He takes into account one’s moral perception in rendering judgment. To be sure, no one escapes condemnation. All fall short. None measure up to their own moral perceptions of right or wrong, let alone God’s Law. No one will ever be able to rise before God and declare that He has been unfair. His judgment is so precise that He takes into account the delicate moral perceptions of each person.

So what does all this teaching regarding the perfection of the judgment of God mean to those who believe and to those who do not believe? To Christians it means that God knows everything and that one day we will stand before Him to give account of our lives. He knows what has gone on in our hearts, this includes envy, sensuality, pride, malice and judgmentalism and many others that goes to church. God knows it all!

We should pursue a profound honesty before God, for He knows everything. We need to admit our inner spiritual sins (even the “really bad” sins) and ask for His help. We must reject worldly rationalizing and moralizing, for in these ways the sickness and importance of the Church is perpetuated. Furthermore, we need to pray specifically and honestly for deliverance and for grace. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6).

Those who are not believers must realize that if they do not have the righteousness of Christ through faith, their sins are yet upon them, and God will judge them with perfect judgment. Handy moralizations – “Everybody’s doing it,” “To err is human, to forgive is divine,” “Nobody’s perfect” – will not suffice. In verse 16 Paul refers to “that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” The Day of Judgment is coming, and men and women need to “settle out of court” while they can. Jesus said, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). However, the Scriptures also tell us, “But to all who receive Him, who believed His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Peter wrote: He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed (1Pet. 2:24).

What a challenge the perfection of the judgment of God brings to all of us! Believers should strive for a profound inward righteousness. Non believers should seek the righteousness that comes from God by faith.

Romans 2:12-16 Reflection Questions:

In what ways do you strive for a profound inward righteousness?

Are you praying specifically and honestly for deliverance and for grace regularly?

Are you praying for those in the Church that have heart issues (this includes envy, sensuality, pride, malice, judgmentalism and many others)?