A Call to Repent, Not to Judge

Romans 2:2–4 (NLT)

² And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. ³ Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? ⁴ Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Message

I. God’s Impartial Judgment (2-3)

See verse 2.

² And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things.

Here, ‘does such things’ means committing the same sins that one condemns others for.

Verse 3 repeats what Paul wants to say in verse 2.

³ Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?

Proverbs 17:5 NLT shows a similar principle.

Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

‘Rejoicing at the misfortune of others’ shows their judgmental attitude that Paul mentioned in verses 2 and 3.

II. God’s Kindness and Patience (4)

See verse 4.

⁴ Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Here, Paul describes how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is. God’s kindness is intended to turn us from our sin. If we don’t repent, we too will receive God’s judgment.

III. This Principle found in Jesus’ Teaching (Luke 13:1-5 NLT)

This principle is found in Luke 13:1-5 NLT.

¹ About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. ² “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? ³ Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. ⁴ And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

Jesus taught that those who die in tragedy are not more sinful than others.
Instead, He calls everyone to repentance, warning that without it, all will face the same fate — not necessarily a physical disaster, but spiritual judgment.