12 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
13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
14 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,
15 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)
16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Romans 2:12-16
1. Sin and Judgment
a) All who have sinned without (outside) the Law
i) They will perish without the Law
ii) This is general reference to Gentiles
b) All who have sinned in the Law
i) They will be judged by the Law
ii) This is a general reference to the Jews
2. The Doctrine (teaching) concerning Justification
a) Hearers of the law will not receive justification
b) Only “doers” of the Law
i) This does not mean we are able to be justified by our works
ii) The true believer expresses his genuine faith by his works
3. How God will judge and justify the Gentiles
a) They may not have the formal law of the Jews
b) But they not totally bereft of any knowledge of God
i) They have “a law” of their own hearts
ii) This “law” maybe their conscience
iii) Their creeds passed down through traditions
c) God will judge them according to their works
i) By the laws of their heart
ii) By their conscience
iii) By their actions
4. God will judge the secrets of men
a) No one can hide anything from the Lord God
b) All deeds would be judged
c) Even the secrets of the heart would be judged by God fairly
5. God will judge by the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel
(A significant text to read)
18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
23 that all should honour the Son just as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent Him.
24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice
29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
John 5:18-29
1. God has given the Lord Jesus to judge all mankind
2. The Lord Jesus has all authority to execute judgment
3. He offers the resurrection of life
4. He offers eternal salvation
5. The true believer
a) He has passed from judgment
b) He has been given life
c) This is the salvation/ the justification the Lord Jesus offers