We All Need Grace

Read Romans 2:1-11  

Our passage today specifies that none of us is morally qualified to judge another human being. When we look around the world and see lawlessness caused by our fellow humans, we often have a thing or two to say/think. Read Romans 1:18-32. Would you say, I am not the person Paul is describing? I don’t murder, I am not filled with every kind of wickedness. I am just rough around the edges; Okay maybe I still gossip occasionally and get boastful, but I’m for sure not greedy and I don’t hate God. Maybe we only struggle with one sin or three. The reality is that we all need God! 

God is the only one who can condemn another human, and He chooses to show kindness and patience to every human. He has set a time to judge all of us. See Romans 2:5-11; Romans 14:12-13.

Does this mean that we cannot correct one another? No. Paul wrote to many churches about the importance of correcting and rebuking in love.

It is key to know that rebuking or correcting is different from judging. When we rebuke, we express disapproval of (someone) because of their behavior or actions. Whereas when we judge, we give a verdict about someone. We tend to write them off. We show no mercy. 

Rebuking and correcting in love is often to restore to faith. However, judging others condemns and separates us. It creates a sense of rightness in us and wrongness in the person judged. And we know our righteousness is in Jesus alone.  

FOR REFLECTION: 

• Do you see your need for God’s grace and mercy daily? (Romans 3:23-24)
• Do you extend the same grace you receive from God to others? (Luke 6:31,36)
• Does God’s Word guide your opinion on what is right, or do you lean on your personal preference or what others say? (2 Timothy 3:16)
• How can you correct or rebuke in love? (2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 6:1-2)

by Tolu Osemwegie