4 Sept. Paul encourages believers to live for God's glory
"If you think you can judge others, you are wrong. When you judge them, you are really judging yourself guilty, because you do the same things they do."
"God judges those who do wrong things, and we know that his judging is right. You judge those who do wrong, but you do wrong yourselves. Do you think you will be able to escape the judgement of God?"
"He has been very kind and patient, waiting for you to change, but you think nothing of his kindness. Perhaps you do not understand that God's kindness is meant to lead you to change your hearts and lives."
"But you are stubborn and refuse to change, so you are making your own punishment even greater on the day he shows his anger. On that day everyone will see God's right judgements. God will reward or punish every person for what that person has done."
"Some people, by always continuing to do good, live for God's glory, for honour and for life that has no end. God will give them life for ever."
"But other people are selfish. They refuse to follow truth and, instead, follow evil. God will give them his punishment and anger. He will give trouble and suffering to everyone who does evil - to the Jews first and also to those who are not Jews."
"But he will give glory, honour and peace to everyone who does good - to the Jews first, and also to those who are not Jews. For God judges all people in the same way."
(Romans 2:1-11)
In this part of his letter to the Roman believers, Paul says that, in the last days, God will judge all people. He will pour out his anger on the selfish and sinful, but will reward all those who turn away from evil with eternal life.
He begins by saying the believers are criticising others for making exactly the same mistakes they are guilty of themselves. In the words of an old saying, they are like 'kettle calling pan'.
He continues to remind them that God is patient, but at the end of time, they will be judged like everyone else. "God will reward or punish every person for what that person has done." (Romans 2:6)
So they should take this opportunity to change their way of life to reflect God's glory: "Some people, by always continuing to do good, live for God's glory, for honour and for life that has no end. God will give them life for ever." (Romans 2:7)
Those who continue to be selfish and follow evil ways will be judged by God and will be punished. "But he will give glory, honour and peace to everyone who does good - to the Jews first, and also to those who are not Jews." (Romans 2:10)
The photo shows the temple of Saturn and the temple of Castor and Pollux in the Roman Forum at Rome.
You can read more from Paul's Letter to the Romans @ https://www.thebiblejourney.org/…/how-to-be-put-right-with…/