Romans 1:32-2:1 "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (2:1)Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."
Remember the people I mentioned in my last devotional post who were confronted with the reality of God, but chose to reject Him? Well, as a result of their rejection of God, they became involved in extremely immoral sin. (Read Romans 1:21-31 to get an idea). Verse 32 said that these people, "knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death."
Paul didn't seem to have a lot of sympathy for them, either. He said in Romans 1:20 that they are without excuse. He said in this verse they are worthy of death. Now we know from studying Paul's epistles that he ministered out of love. However, he was not one of these guys who would stick his finger in your face and say, "People are going to Hell, and it's all you're fault." We are responsible for sharing our faith with people, but if they reject God and go to Hell, they go on their own accord, not because we picked the wrong worship music, or that our pastor was too old, or that our church too traditional, or because we presented the Gospel in a less-than-entertaining way.
Let's look at these verses a little closer. Verse 32 says "not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." So, in order to deserve God's judgment or chastisement for the sins listed in Romans 1, we not only have to do them, but we can merely have pleasure in them that do them. In other words, I don't have to find a girlfriend to committ adultery. All I have to do is watch Jerry Springer and get into it. To take pleasure in it. Verse 32 says as a result of that activity, those who take pleasure in those who do the sins are also worthy of death.
So, Paul is addressing Christians who might not be actively engaging in sin, but they are having a good time watching. They might even be encouraging it.
Parents, don't encourage your teenagers' sin by giving them a safe haven to do it. (i.e. don't be one of those who lets your children drink alcohol at home, or let your son's girlfriend spend the night. You are not giving them a safe alternative, you are fueling a bad situation that will make their lives worse. You will be held accountable.)
To everyone else, If you have lost friends, when they get to talking about how wild the weekend was, don't join the conversation recalling the good ole days before your salvation when you used to do the same. What you are doing is taking pleasure in them that do it and are setting yourself up for God's chastisement. (Plus, you're not representing the kingdom well).
As Christians, we tend to frown upon those who live more sinfully than we do. That's where Romans 2:1 picks up (it is a continuation of this thought).
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."
The more you take pleasure in the sins of others (either by watching it on television, encouraging it through your conversations with lost people, or enabling it by contributing to it) the more you become guilty of the same things. And, when you speak against them, you will basically condemn yourself, because God will remind you of what you said, then show you how your actions violated your own words.
An example of this type of behavior would be me talking trash about a man I know because of his sexual immorality, then going home and enjoying a good dose of soap operas or internet viewing.
Don't engage in sin. Don't take pleasure in sin. To do so for the saved person will cost him fellowship with God. To do so for the lost person will only add to their coming judgment.
If you have gotten involved in sin, either by proxy, or by actually committing it, you can obtain forgiveness from God by repentance (being sorry for it and purposing never to do it again). James 5:15 says "if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." I John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
God bless you.
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