GETTING WHAT YOU DESERVE

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’”

“To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

Romans 2:6-10

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Study the New Testament enough and you’ll see how it is inextricably linked to the Old Testament.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry we find Him quoting Old Testament scripture over and over again. The total number is near 80 times, most often from the Law and the Prophets.

Following suit, Paul carried on this tradition from Jesus and actually carried it further with more than 180 references to the Old Testament within his letters, a majority of which are found in the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Epistle we are currently studying, Romans.

As Paul continues to discuss God’s righteous judgment at the beginning of chapter 2, we find this quote at the start of our passage for today:

“God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’”

The quote is straight from the Psalms and Proverbs, two of the Old Testament’s wisdom books. Those scriptures read as follows:

David writes:

One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with You, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.” Psalm 62:11-12

David’s son, Solomon, then has this to say in his 25th “Saying to the Wise”:

“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!”

“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

“If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who guards your life know it? Will He not repay everyone according to what they have done?” Proverbs 24:10-12

Take the sum of these Old Testament words of wisdom and you come to this conclusion:

A person will get from God what they deserve.

God is the only One entitled to judge. He is the Supreme Judge over all created things. He knows the hearts of all His people and no wickedness or sin escapes His sight. He will exact His punishment on those who have earned it, those who will deserve it.

Who fits that category?

We turn back to the words of Paul in our passage today for the answer.

For those who are “self-seeking”, choose to “reject the truth”, and “follow evil” will earn the “wrath and anger” of the Lord. The scriptures assure us that “there will be trouble and distress for every human being” who “does evil” and it’s not discriminatory. Both Jew and Gentile (which encompasses all people) will be subject to God’s rage and the consequences for their actions. They will get what they deserve.

Conversely, God is perfectly just and not only disciplines but rewards.

Go back to our passage for today where we learn that anyone who “by persistence in doing good” desires “glory, honor and immortality”, will be given “eternal life” by God. They will experience “glory, honor and peace” for the good that they do.

Here, we find God is the great Redeemer and Giver of every good and perfect thing to His people who pursue His righteousness, that seek and carry out His will in the way that they live. Instead of destruction, those who seek to answer God’s call to be holy as He is holy find their way to salvation and everlasting life. They don’t get what they deserve as sinners but rather are granted grace and mercy and forgiveness, pardoned from the wrath of God destined for the wicked.

As we have seen in other places within this study of Romans, there are only two options here.

One can reject God, sin at will, and find themselves getting what they deserve, the very wrath and anger of God raining down on them like sulfur engulfing Sodom and Gomorrah.

Or a person can always allow the Lord to lead them to living in goodness, fulfilling His desires for their lives and gaining His favor and blessing in return.

As you read this today, where do you find yourself?

If you’ve strayed away from the way and will of the Lord, I encourage you to make a change right now and recommit yourself to Him.

If you’ve never had a relationship with God in your life, now is the day to start one. He’s waiting for you with open arms.

And if you’re already dedicating yourself to the Lord with your life, continue to do so and grow more and more in His image, the image He created you in (Genesis 1:26).

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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