Living with Accountability: Embracing God's Impartial Judgment
Summary
### Summary
Today's message focused on the sobering yet essential topic of God's impartial judgment. We explored how both Jesus and the Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of living with an awareness of our future accountability before God. This awareness should guide us to live wisely and purposefully, avoiding the distractions and trivialities that often consume our lives. Drawing from the wisdom of St. Benedict and John Mark Comer, we were reminded that life is fleeting and precious, and we should not waste it on things that do not matter in the light of eternity.
We delved into Romans 2, where Paul outlines that God's judgment will be righteous and impartial, based on what we have done, whether we are Jews or Gentiles. The Mosaic Law plays a significant role in this judgment, but it is not the mere hearing of the law that makes one righteous; it is the doing of it. However, since no one can perfectly keep the law except Jesus, salvation cannot be achieved through works but through faith in Christ.
Paul also discusses the innate sense of right and wrong that exists in all people, regardless of whether they have the Mosaic Law. This "law written on their hearts" serves as a witness to God's standards. However, our consciences can be corrupted, seared, or weak, and thus unreliable unless they are trained by the truth of God's Word. We need a good, clear, and trained conscience to navigate life righteously.
Finally, we were reminded that Jesus will be the judge at the end of times, and His judgment will include even our secret thoughts. This should be both a comfort and a warning. For those who follow Jesus, it is a blessing to know that He understands our hearts. For those who ignore His will, it is a terror. Therefore, we must live in the truth, practice it, and share it, knowing that not everyone will accept it, but its principles are self-evident and transformative.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living with Eternal Perspective: St. Benedict's advice to "remind yourself that you are going to die" encourages us to live wisely and purposefully. Life is fleeting, and we should not waste it on trivialities but focus on what truly matters in the light of eternity. [00:58]
2. Impartial Judgment: God's judgment is righteous and impartial, based on what we have done, whether we are Jews or Gentiles. It is not the mere hearing of the law that makes one righteous but the doing of it. However, since no one can perfectly keep the law except Jesus, salvation is through faith in Christ. [03:09]
3. Innate Sense of Right and Wrong: Paul explains that even those without the Mosaic Law have an innate sense of right and wrong, a "law written on their hearts." This serves as a witness to God's standards, but our consciences can be unreliable unless trained by the truth of God's Word. [07:40]
4. The Role of Conscience: Our consciences can be good, clear, guilty, corrupt, weak, or seared. A trained conscience, guided by the Holy Spirit and the truth of God's Word, is essential for living righteously. We must constantly use and practice the truth to distinguish good from evil. [16:44]
5. Jesus as the Ultimate Judge: Jesus will be the judge at the end of times, and His judgment will include even our secret thoughts. This should be a comfort for those who follow Him and a warning for those who ignore His will. We must live in the truth, practice it, and share it, knowing its principles are self-evident and transformative. [27:36]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - St. Benedict's Wisdom
[01:41] - John Mark Comer's Insights
[02:25] - The Stakes of Judgment
[03:09] - Righteous and Impartial Judgment
[03:41] - Understanding Romans 2:12
[04:12] - Jews and Gentiles Under the Law
[05:25] - Hearing vs. Doing the Law
[06:08] - No Salvation by Works
[07:15] - Context of Judgment
[07:40] - Innate Sense of Right and Wrong
[08:20] - Subjectivity of Morality
[09:36] - Instinctive Law
[10:16] - Suppressing the Truth
[10:56] - The Slippery Slope of Sin
[11:41] - The Role of Conscience
[12:30] - Cultural Differences in Morality
[13:04] - Testimony of a New Believer
[14:42] - Cultural Norms and Honesty
[15:17] - Context of Judgment
[15:58] - The Need for a Trained Conscience
[16:44] - Descriptions of Conscience
[17:16] - Good and Clear Conscience
[17:51] - Corrupt Conscience
[18:30] - Non-Believers and Morality
[19:05] - Weak Conscience
[19:38] - Eating Sacrificial Food
[20:34] - Seared Conscience
[21:11] - New Age to New Life
[21:44] - Demonic Activity
[22:38] - Jesus' Ministry and Demons
[23:10] - Hypocritical Liars
[23:33] - Trained Conscience
[24:01] - Walking with the Spirit
[24:36] - Solid Food for the Mature
[25:17] - Embracing the Life of Jesus
[26:18] - Constant Use of Truth
[26:45] - Misconceptions of Deeper Faith
[27:18] - Influences of Mature Believers
[27:36] - God's Certain Judgment
[27:59] - Paul's Gospel
[28:19] - Jesus as the Judge
[28:57] - Comfort and Terror of Judgment
[29:38] - Fear of Being Misunderstood
[30:17] - Different Personalities in Ministry
[30:44] - Blessing and Terror of God's Knowledge
[31:08] - Jesus as the Ultimate Judge
[32:00] - Jesus' Attitude Toward Enemies
[32:24] - Political Enemies and Jesus' Way
[32:57] - Avoiding Partisan Politics
[33:22] - The Great White Throne Judgment
[33:38] - Paul's Sermon on Mars Hill
[34:00] - God's Righteous Judgment
[34:26] - Basis of Judgment
[34:45] - Truth in Creation
[35:10] - Special Revelation
[35:33] - Sharing God's Word
[35:59] - Teaching God's Truths
[36:25] - Responding to the Truth
[36:53] - Practicing the Truth
[37:16] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 2:12-16
2. Galatians 3:10
3. 1 Timothy 1:5
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 2:12-16, how does Paul describe the basis of God's judgment for both Jews and Gentiles? [04:12]
2. What does Paul mean when he says that the law is "written on their hearts" in Romans 2:15? [07:40]
3. In Galatians 3:10, what does Paul say about those who rely on the works of the law? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about salvation through faith in Christ? [06:47]
4. How does 1 Timothy 1:5 describe the goal of Paul's command to Timothy, and what are the three qualities mentioned? [16:44]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God's impartial judgment challenge or affirm your understanding of fairness and justice? [03:09]
2. What are the implications of having a "law written on their hearts" for people who have never heard the Mosaic Law? How does this affect our view of innate morality? [07:40]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of conscience in guiding our actions, and what are the different types of consciences mentioned? [16:44]
4. Why is it significant that Jesus will be the ultimate judge, and how should this influence the way we live our lives? [27:36]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on St. Benedict's advice to "remind yourself that you are going to die." How can this perspective help you live more wisely and purposefully? What changes might you need to make in your daily life to focus on what truly matters? [00:58]
2. Considering that God's judgment is based on what we have done, how can you ensure that your actions align with your faith in Christ? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to practice more obedience? [03:09]
3. How can you train your conscience to be more reliable and aligned with God's Word? What practical steps can you take to ensure your conscience is guided by the Holy Spirit? [16:44]
4. Jesus' judgment will include even our secret thoughts. How does this truth comfort you, and how does it serve as a warning? What steps can you take to ensure your thoughts are pleasing to God? [27:36]
5. The sermon mentioned that our consciences can be corrupted, seared, or weak. Identify one area in your life where your conscience might be unreliable. How can you seek God's help to strengthen and purify your conscience? [16:44]
6. How can you live out the truth of God's Word in a way that is evident to others, even if they do not accept it? What are some practical ways you can share and practice the principles of the Bible in your community? [35:59]
7. Reflect on the idea that life is fleeting and precious. What are some distractions or trivialities in your life that you need to eliminate to focus on what truly matters in the light of eternity? [01:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Living with Eternal Perspective
Life is fleeting, and we should not waste it on trivialities but focus on what truly matters in the light of eternity. St. Benedict's advice to "remind yourself that you are going to die" encourages us to live wisely and purposefully. This perspective helps us prioritize our actions and decisions, ensuring that we invest our time and energy in things that have eternal significance. By keeping the end in mind, we can avoid the distractions and trivialities that often consume our lives and instead focus on what truly matters.
John Mark Comer also reminds us that life is precious and fleeting. We should not waste it on things that do not matter in the light of eternity. This awareness should guide us to live wisely and purposefully, making the most of every opportunity to serve God and others. By living with an eternal perspective, we can ensure that our lives are meaningful and impactful, both now and in the future. [00:58]
Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you are spending time on trivialities? How can you refocus your energy on what truly matters in the light of eternity?
Day 2: Impartial Judgment
God's judgment is righteous and impartial, based on what we have done, whether we are Jews or Gentiles. It is not the mere hearing of the law that makes one righteous but the doing of it. However, since no one can perfectly keep the law except Jesus, salvation is through faith in Christ. This understanding should humble us and lead us to rely on God's grace rather than our own efforts. It also reminds us that we are all equal before God, regardless of our background or status.
Paul's message in Romans 2 emphasizes that God's judgment will be based on our actions and not merely our knowledge of the law. This means that we cannot rely on our religious heritage or knowledge to save us; instead, we must live out our faith through our actions. This should motivate us to live righteously and to seek God's guidance in all that we do. [03:09]
Romans 2:6-7 (ESV): "He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your knowledge or heritage rather than living out your faith through actions? How can you begin to align your actions with your faith today?
Day 3: Innate Sense of Right and Wrong
Paul explains that even those without the Mosaic Law have an innate sense of right and wrong, a "law written on their hearts." This serves as a witness to God's standards, but our consciences can be unreliable unless trained by the truth of God's Word. This innate sense of morality points to the existence of a moral lawgiver, God, who has instilled in us a sense of right and wrong. However, our consciences can be corrupted, seared, or weak, making them unreliable guides unless they are aligned with God's truth.
To navigate life righteously, we need a good, clear, and trained conscience. This requires immersing ourselves in God's Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. By doing so, we can develop a conscience that accurately reflects God's standards and helps us make wise decisions. [07:40]
Romans 2:14-15 (ESV): "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them."
Reflection: How can you train your conscience to be more aligned with God's truth? What steps can you take to immerse yourself in God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you?
Day 4: The Role of Conscience
Our consciences can be good, clear, guilty, corrupt, weak, or seared. A trained conscience, guided by the Holy Spirit and the truth of God's Word, is essential for living righteously. We must constantly use and practice the truth to distinguish good from evil. This means that we need to be intentional about seeking God's guidance and allowing His Word to shape our thoughts and actions. By doing so, we can develop a conscience that accurately reflects God's standards and helps us make wise decisions.
A trained conscience is not something that happens overnight; it requires consistent effort and dedication. We need to be vigilant in examining our thoughts and actions, seeking God's guidance, and allowing His Word to transform us. By doing so, we can develop a conscience that is sensitive to God's leading and helps us navigate life righteously. [16:44]
Hebrews 5:14 (ESV): "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: What steps can you take to train your conscience to be more aligned with God's truth? How can you practice distinguishing good from evil in your daily life?
Day 5: Jesus as the Ultimate Judge
Jesus will be the judge at the end of times, and His judgment will include even our secret thoughts. This should be a comfort for those who follow Him and a warning for those who ignore His will. We must live in the truth, practice it, and share it, knowing its principles are self-evident and transformative. This understanding should motivate us to live righteously and to seek God's guidance in all that we do.
Knowing that Jesus will judge even our secret thoughts should lead us to examine our hearts and motives. It should also encourage us to live transparently and authentically, seeking to align our thoughts and actions with God's will. By doing so, we can experience the comfort of knowing that Jesus understands our hearts and the assurance that we are living in accordance with His will. [27:36]
Ecclesiastes 12:14 (ESV): "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
Reflection: Are there secret thoughts or motives in your heart that you need to bring before God? How can you begin to live more transparently and authentically in alignment with God's will today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Accountability before God for how we live is one of life's most important principles. Anyone who lives without regard for how God will judge them in the end is living, quite frankly, is just living dangerously." [00:58] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Day by day, remind yourself that you are going to die. Because if you live in light of that, you will probably live more wisely than if you think you will live forever." [01:41] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Most of us would probably admit, that we are over-distracted most of the time. And if there was a topic we'd probably prefer to be distracted from, it would be this topic, judgment that we'll face one day before God. But the stakes are so high, brothers and sisters. They're so high." [02:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The bottom line and most important aspect of judgment is how each person responds very simply to the truth that they had. Some are on some island and all they have is the truth of God in creation. And Paul said, God has made it clear to everyone at all times in all places so that no one is without excuse." [34:26] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So then, brothers and sisters, may the truth of his word be our standard and our guide and our final authority on all things. May we share it knowing that we will not accept it, knowing that all will not accept it. Everyone's not going to accept it, but that it's principles even." [35:59] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "God's word is so clear that we must pay careful attention and consider God's impartial judgment, which is the title of this message. Impartial judgment. So far in Romans 2, the Apostle Paul has made, clear that one, the judgment of God will be righteous. So it'll be righteous. It will be according to what we've actually done in truth." [03:09] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The untrained conscience is not reliable. And actually, what we really need, we need to be trained in the truth, right? It is the truth that sets us free, ultimately. And the context for Jesus saying that in John chapter 8 was the untapped conscience. These new disciples, these new Jewish converts, if you will, new Jewish followers of Jesus. Jesus said, you will know the truth after you're studying it and digging into it." [15:58] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Solid food, brothers, and sisters, is the gospel that is welcomed, believed, and then lived. Like, there's no deeper level of faith. There's no, there's no second tier Christian. There's no, oh, now, like, it's, it's, I receive the gospel and I'm living by it or I'm living by my emotions or my feelings or I'm immature in my faith." [25:37] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The bottom line and most important aspect of judgment is how each person responds very simply to the truth that they had. Some are on some island and all they have is the truth of God in creation. And Paul said, God has made it clear to everyone at all times in all places so that no one is without excuse." [34:26] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So then, brothers and sisters, may the truth of his word be our standard and our guide and our final authority on all things. May we share it knowing that we will not accept it, knowing that all will not accept it. Everyone's not going to accept it, but that it's principles even." [35:59] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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