Consider yourselves

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? – Romans 2.1-4

I’d say the Jews who read the previous section to this were feeling pretty good about themselves. Most of them, like us, I am sure could say ‘Oh those are awful sins. I am so glad that I don’t do those kinds of things!’ It was easy for them to judge those Paul described.

But context is key, as always. Paul shatters their smugness when he says ‘consider yourselves when you are so quick to judge others.’

Of course it reminds me of what Jesus said when we said ‘don’t judge each other until you have sorted out your own issues.

Here’s the point. The Jews condemned to world for their ignoring the Law and their heinous sins. That was obvious and they were easy targets. All the while though the Jews had their own sins. As the passage goes on Paul going to talk about the secrets of men and  circumcised hearts. The Jews judged the world but went about with their own sins that might no be so obvious. They wanted the world punished, and in so doing ironed God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering.

We need to be careful about being too judgemental of this wicked old world. We need to trust God to take care of it and rejoice that He is as patient with us as He is with the world.

Sure, we need to expose sin – but we’d better not forget about considering ourselves first.