Week 5 - Thursday

False Security

But if you bear the name "Jew," (Romans 2:17a)

So far in Romans, Paul has shown us that every person knows something of God's existence through His natural revelations to man (Rom. 1:18-20). We have learned why people reject God and that they deserve to be condemned for it. (Rom. 1:21-31). It is not only the immoral God rejectors who will be judged by God for their sins. The moral or religious person faces an even stricter judgment and a more severe penalty for their sins (Rom. 2:1-13). We also understand that because God's Law is written in their hearts, people have a basic knowledge of right and wrong. Thus they are accountable to obey God's Law, whether they have heard it or not (Rom. 2:14-15). Because they know that those who violate God's Laws are worthy of death (Rom. 1:32); most people have at least some fear, that maybe God will judge them for their sins. Wanting to convince themselves they will somehow escape God's judgment, people have come to believe in one or more false asurances that give them a sense of security. One of the false assurances people rely on is that only the very worst of people will go to hell. They believe Hell is only for the Hitlers, for the serial rapists and mass murderers. Another false assurance is that your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, making you acceptable to God. Sure they do some things that are wrong but they think God will forgive those because of the good things they do. Some others false assurances are; (1) God is too loving to send anyone to hell; (2) there is no God and thus no judgment; (3) you can pay for your sins by serving time in purgatory and then go to heaven; (4) those who don't meet God's standard do not go to hell but simply cease to exist after death; (5) when you die you are reincarnated over and over again to another form of life; (6) even though you may not follow Christ now, at one time in your life you made a profession of faith in Him and that secured your salvation; (7) you are acceptable to God because of your religious ceremonies, knowledge or heritage.

None of these false assurances will save anyone from the judgment of God. The last one on the list, number (7), was the common belief of many Jews. In Romans 2:17-29 Paul is addressing the "Jew"; who wrongly believed that because of his religious activities, knowledge or heritage; he was immune from God's judgment. The Jews believed they were saved primarily because they were descendants of Abraham and thus God's chosen people (Matt. 3:7-10). Many people today have a similar false assurance they are saved. They think that because they attend a Christian church, or go to a Bible study, or because they were raised in a Christian home that they are acceptable to God. The only true assurance of a person's salvation is their faith in Jesus Christ. Do you believe that Jesus is God, that He died for your sins and that He was raised from the dead? Have turned from your sins to receive Him as your Lord and Savior? Do you feel the Holy Spirit leading you in obedience to Christ? If so, there is no reason for you not to believe you are saved.

Readings for today: Heb. 9:27; Rom. 10:9; Rom. 8:14; John 10:27-28