Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 3, 2011

But, for Jews and Gentiles, their hope is Jesus Christ.

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 2:12-16.

“12  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;

13  for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

14  For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,

15  in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,

16  on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”  Romans 2:12-16.

——————————

There are no excuses.  The Jews have the Law, and they will be judged according to the Law.  The Gentiles have their consciences, a law written in their hearts, and they also will be judged according to their consciences.  In summary, “God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.” 

The Jews proclaim the Law:

“7  The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8  The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10  They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11  Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.”  Psalm 19:7-11.

The Gentiles proclaim their consciences:

“23  Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24  And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.”  Psalm 139:232-24.

“12  Who can discern his errors?  Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.”  Psalm 19:12-13.

But, for Jews and Gentiles, their hope is Jesus Christ.

“7  Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8  For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, 9  and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,

   “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,
AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.”
 
 10 Again he says,
   “REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.”
 
 11 And again,
   “PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES,
AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.”   Romans 15:7-11.
 
Christ abolished the enmity (the condemnation by the Law) and reconciled the elect from both groups (Jews and Gentiles) into one group in Christ through His accomplishments by means of His death on the cross.  
 
“11  Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12  remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15  by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16  and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17  AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18  for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20  having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21  in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22  in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”  Ephesians 2:11-22.

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