Why religion can't save you

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. 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. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. - Romans 2:1‭-‬29 ESV

Rev Charles Han

God's Universal Indictment

The Jews are thinking that sinners are the pagans. They consider themselves morally superior. Jews believed themselves on the side of good because they were God's people. They had the law of God and they had been circumcised. This was how they distinguished themselves from the world. But Paul accuses them of self-righteous hypocrisy. They boast of having the law, but they also break those same laws. They boast of circumcision, but it is only physical and not spiritual.

Religion can make us feel better. It can hide ugly, twisted hearts. It can deceive us as to our true state. We are called to repent, not only flagrant sin, but also our righteousness.

Our inane judging nature speaks of the law. Why are we so judgmental of others? Because there is a law. If we weighed our lives by our own standards, we would find ourselves lacking. Even if we didn't have God's law, we would still find that we fall short of any standard. We are all morally bankrupt both Jewish and pagan.

God's Universal Sentence

So what comes after? God's judgment. The eternal wrath of God. Hell. This is an essential part of the gospel. The word of God does not treat judgement in a timid or embarrassed manner. It is spoken in a straightforward and even rejoiced over.

God's wrath is part of God's love. He created all things. So when we think of all the human atrocities, would God dote on the perpetrators of these crimes? No, wrath comes because He loves. His desire for justice and love for His creation can only be answered by wrath.

So then once we understand the appropriateness of God's wrath. We must consider that this wrath is not just for others. Look into our own hearts and know that we are not only victims of sin, but perpetrators as well. We are under God's wrath as well.

God's Universal Gracious Invitation

So then why does the ground not swallow us? Why are we not struck down? Because he desires repentant hearts. He does not use coercion, he invites us to full pardon and grace. Not fear driven religion, but loving obedience to God. He desires softened hearts. He invites us with kindness and grace.