KNOWLEDGE OF SIN
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.” Romans 2:12, ESV
Theme: Mortality is measured by laws that create structure and accountability.
JUDGEMENT WILL COME TO ALL
There is a dominant structure of morality built into our being. When God created Adam and Eve, He gave humankind a moral compass that inherently recognizes right from wrong. The first law given to them was not to eat of the tree of knowledge. We know how that went. He made us good, yet we became sinful from the beginning of creation. God’s higher moral authority gave us the capacity of having a conscience that bears witness to His very existence.
We cannot hide, in our guilt-ridden nakedness, from God’s presence and ultimate judgement. We know that His judgement will come to all. This judgement is bigger than disobedience to the Old Testament’s 613 laws. It’s bigger than ignorance of the law. Paul is leveling the playing field, with today’s scripture, for all have been given that moral compass. His law is the knowledge of sin, with all of humankind having an inherent knowledge of good and evil. He will judge us by our guilt and conscience. Paul is saying that we all need a Savior.
IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE
In today’s court system, when someone is accused of breaking the law, the defendant may say that they didn’t know they were in the wrong in breaking the law. The judge will remind them that ignorance of the law is no excuse. They should have known better. They have sinned without the law. If they had known about the law, then they would have sinned under the law. Either way, the judge will render the same verdict, just as our ultimate magistrate will judge us upon our ultimate day in His court.
OBEDIENCE TO GOD
In a performance-based system, let us rest in Him. We find our completeness in Him. “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1, ESV). When we judge others, we condemn ourselves; breaking the same laws of God. The false narrative of … “I’m not accountable, I’m better than them” is used by too many people who need our witnessing and intervention. There are many that could use the light from Romans 2:12. Let us start there. We are endowed a God-given capacity - a conscience - from on high. Are we living up to our own standards - or God’s standards? Let us use His light and share it as intended.
Make It Personal: In my life journey, I have been on both sides of Romans 2:12. As an older brother, how many times did I hear “you should have known better. You’re the oldest … that makes you the responsible one.” It took a lot of denial, before I accepted that. I’m still that older brother and still carry that sense of responsibility. As an employee in management, I spent many years in a position of judging those who strayed from the rules and regulations of the workplace. It wasn’t easy. I was no Solomon in wisdom, but I used The LORD’s words to guide me. Sometimes the grievant - or guilty party - saw the light. Sometimes, I saw that light. God will judge each of us according to the light that we were given. The law is knowledge of sin. God’s Grace awaits. How do you relate to laws and rules? In what way are God’s laws helpful to you?
Pray: Almighty Father … giver of light … we thank and praise you for your forgiveness and healing. We understand that it isn’t enough to know what is right but also persevere to accomplish it. Please speak to our hearts, as only you can, so with your words we may see the truth of judgement through your law, rather than perishing without it. We praise, with a sobering reality, the structure of judgement we find through your Son, our Lord and sacrificed Savior; Jesus Christ. Amen.
Read: Genesis 3:5, 1 Corinthians 8:7, Romans 3:9, John 1:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” Romans 2:13, ESV