Take Action! Romans 2:12-16

Romans 2:12-16
For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them ) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

There are two major points I hope you will take away from this scripture today.

The first point – and one that troubled me in the past – and really does trouble many people – is that you don’t need to hear to Gospel to be ‘saved’. Between here and the end of Romans 1, we can see that God has revealed himself through creation (see previous study here), and we all have the ability to recognize God, and do the things that are right and written on our hearts. You can make a concerted effort to seek God without having heard the message – and will be judged according to that.

Now I’ve got to admit it is rather easier to have heard and be taught than to have not heard – but this answers the long question of ‘what of those that had no opportunity to hear’? We could delve a lot deeper into this subject (and may just at some point), but right now take comfort in this – that everyone can see God, and everyone has His law written on their hearts, and therefore the opportunity to see Jesus. I know if someone with the right heart sought the Creator of the universe, he would not leave them to stumble alone.

Now – for the rest of us (because if you are reading this, you have no doubt heard something….) – ‘but the doers of the law will be justified’. It’s simple really – you gotta ‘do’. You can’t sit around with ‘head knowledge’. You can’t say you haven’t heard (because you have), you can’t say you haven’t seen (because God’s creation reveals Him to you). Your only choice now is to find this Creator of the universe and find out what He is about.

Fortunately, in this modern day this is easy. You can read His word through your Bible, or through an online Bible, or from the Library, or from a friend or church. There are plenty who will help guide you if you ask – just make sure you ask the right person! My advice? Read His word. That is God’s message to us – his divinely inspired writings that are there to guide you to Him, to an understanding of Him, and to a relationship with Him. Simple. Take the Word of God and apply it in your life – and take anything that someone offers you and compare it with the Word. If it conflicts, it’s time to review or drop it. Simple. I expect you to do the same with what I put on here – that is why every scripture is linked to an online Bible where you can read in full context and search the scriptures yourself.

So. As the slogan goes – Just Do It.

Lord God, I pray you will continue to give us revelation from your Word through your Holy Spirit. Teach us to be doers of your word, and not just idle listeners. Guide us in your path. In Jesus Name. Amen.