I agree with the late Francis Schaeffer, philosopher, theologian, and Presbyterian pastor who said something similar to “Whenever you see the word ‘therefore,’ you must look back and see what it’s there for.”
In the case of Romans 12: 1,2, in means that a prerequisite of an in-depth dive into these two passages must include a discerning of the eleven chapters that precede them “marking a transition from doctrine (chapters 1-11) to practical application (chapters 12-16): {Google AI Overview of “who said when you see the word.”}
Looking back beginning with the first chapter of the book of Romans, I see a comparison and contrast between Romans chapter one and Romans Two. Chapter One ends with a familiar passage about “They” and Chapter Two begins with another familiar passage about “You.”
Romans 2:1 reads, “You, therefore… whatever point you judge another… do the same things.”
So, we look back one verse, Romans 1:32, “… they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Who Are “They?”
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Romans 1:21 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.1.21.NIV
We look back a few verses to find out who “they” are in chapter 1. One of the first mentions of “they” is in verse 18, “they suppress the truth by their wickedness.” Then, in verse 21, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
“They” failed to glorify God and their actions held back the truth and their ingratitude scarred their thoughts and minds. “They” knew God, but didn’t worship him as he deserves.
The “You” of Two
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
Romans 2:1 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.2.1.NIV
According to the first three or four verses of Chapter Two, “You” do the same as “they” who fail to respect and acknowledge God when you pass judgment on them. Am I reading that correctly? I cannot interpret it any other way.
The “You” is me or you or anyone who passes judgment on another. We just learned “They” fail to worship God the way he deserves. Paul goes on to say that when”You” or I pass judgment we also “…show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience…”(verse 4). “You” therefore do the same things as “They.”
Judging others is therefore dishonoring God. Judging others is as contemptible as “They” who Paul tells us “that their thinking became futile and their hearts darkened.” In other words, judging others is carnal, sinful, ungodly behavior. If not acknowledged and confessed can lead to spiritual blindness. Spiritual blindness is the culprit behind Pharisaical-like hypocrisy.
A Christian may read or hear a passage like Romans 12:16, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” and think “I sure am glad I am not conceited” or prayerfully consider if there are relationships they need to resolve. The former is passing judgment. The latter is applying God’s Word to one’s life.
Out of Focus
What is the real problem? How do we get to the place where we use scripture as a weapon against people and not principles? It is a matter of focus.
In the previous scenario, former Christian focused on practices. Former could not see one wrong act – no act of pride or conceit in their own life, but knew of incidents where others acted all high and mighty to them. Latter thought about relationships – matters of one’s own heart and might ask themselves am I holding a grudge against others who hurt me?
“The Church Is Full of Hypocrites”
It’s an excuse that keeps many from church. It is also true. Judging others for the same things we do is hypocrisy. It’s human nature and every church is full of humans. Humans respond better to rules, customs, rituals. It is natural to focus on actions because we cannot see the heart and soul of another. We struggle understanding our own heart.
When I think of hypocrites, I think of the Pharisees of the time of Christ’s ministry on Earth. The book of Matthew, Chapter 23, accounts one of those incidents.
Jesus declares the teachers of the Law as hypocrites because they emphasize the lesser matters of the Law and ignore, especially in their own lives, the more important matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The focus on lesser matters was a result of a focus of acting and not being.
They kept trying to follow the customs, rituals, and commandments before committing their hearts and minds to God. They were teaching others to do the same. Look at Matthew 23: 15.
““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.”
Matthew 23:15 NIV
We need to acknowledge as a Church that every believer is a sinner, not WAS a sinner, IS a sinner. That’s why we need Christ. That’s also why we love Christ. Acknowledging our need for Christ is part of the reason we as sinners worship Christ. The other part of true worship is that as undeserving as we are of it, he loves us anyway and created us for a better purpose.
True Worship = Right Service
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Romans 12:1 NIV
Paul urged his readers in Rome and urges us today that because of God’s “kindness, forbearance, and patience” to all humanity that it is only reasonable to offer our bodies (your whole person). You and me determine to totally belong to God and not ourselves.
This is not easy and it doesn’t happen overnight – for anyone, even the one you might have judged as the foolish sinner. Your judgement of them is not pleasing to God. Unconditional love not judgement is pleasing to God. That starts with unconditional surrender to God – the only proper worship of God. It then flows out to others.
Learn How To Live
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
When out of appreciation we acknowledge our need and surrender our nature to Christ, we can begin to understand what it means to live fully and not just exist.
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that he tried everything in life and found it all to be meaningless. Then, his conclusion, live for God. That was before Christ.
Paul’s conclusion is Romans 12: 1,2. Because God so loved the world he gave his Son, we offer ourselves to God. Then God gives us life.
Romans 12:2, says stop believing everything you’ve tried, heard, learned but rethink everything. When you hear some human wisdom, scrutinize it. Renew your thoughts.
We have the Bible. We have the words of Christ. We have his disciples and apostles writings. Compare, contrast, interpret human wisdom with scriptures. Compare, contrast, interpreted scriptures with scripture. Keep on comparing, contrasting, discerning everything you think you know is right prayerfully. Because most of all, fully committing ourselves means opening our hearts and minds to God’s Spirit.
Romans 12:2, says that renewing our minds means being open-minded. Open to listening and heeding what God is teaching you. Open to the leading of his comfort, help, guidance, wisdom of his Holy Spirit. Open to the will of God, his perfect and pleasant will. What is ultimately God’s will for our lives? Jesus said that he came that we might have life to its fullest.
Solomon tried everything in life and found it empty, meaningless. Jesus said he can give you abundant life, starting now and for all eternity. You can do it Solomon’s way in hopes of a better outcome. Or you can surrender to Christ who is the Way, Truth, and Life.
Meaningless or Abundant?
Judging others comes naturally. Focusing on actions is the natural way of life. God wants us to focus on him and our hearts. The natural way is meaningless. God’s way is life. Let’s choose life.
Categories: Christian Christianity Spirituality and Religion
Douglas Knight
I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.
Knight Writer 