The Moralist (Bible Study of 9-Sep-1998)
Tyler Nally (tnally@iquest.net)
Thu, 10 Sep 1998 12:55:54 -0500
Greetings Saints in Jesus name!
This is the bible study we had at church on Wednesday 9-Sep-1998 here
at Gateway Tabernacle, Indianapolis, IN 46231. This is a bible study
that entails Romans 2:1-16. Last night we only covered verse #1. From
what I gleaned from it.... there's a whole lot that that we all need to
know. I'm only including the scripture text from what's being talked about
(vs. 1) and not the remaining 15 verses. However, the introduction will
have all five points that cover all 16 verses.
Scripture Text:
Ro 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.
Introduction (Rom 1:1-16) this is the one of the passages that covers several
subjects and can b e studied from the viewpoint of any one of them. It is an
excellent study on judging, criticizing others, and the judgement of God,
self-
righteousness, the moralist, and the legalist. It also deals with the
judgment
of the heathen, and answers the question so often asked: "What will happen to
the heathen, to the person who never hears about Jesus Christ" (v. 11-15).
The
Present study is entitled: "God's Case against the Moralist."
1. Background: the moralist (v. 1).
2. The judgement of God is according to truth: perfect justice (v. 2-5).
3. The judgement of God is according to deeds: eternal reward or punishment
(v. 6-10)
4. The judgement of God is without respect of persons: absolute impartiality
(v. 11-15)
5. The judgement of God is to be executed by Jesus Christ and His gospel
(v. 16)
(Rom 2:1) Moralist--Judging Others--Criticism: the moralist. In the eyes of
Scripture a moralist is a person who lives a moral and clean life, but judges
others because they do not live as he thinks they should. He is moral,
upright, just, good, decent, and honorable. The moralist has strong values,
standards, and principles. He is well disciplined and able to control his
life. He lives just as everyone things he should. He knows right from wrong
and he lives it. He knows how to behave and he does it. In the eyes of
society he is just what a person should be. He's a good neighbor, an
excellent
worker and provider, and an ideal citizen. But note three things (we only
covered the first two in tonights bible study ... ).
1. The moralist judges others. The word "judge" (krino) means to
criticize,
to find fault, to condemn. This is the terrible flaw of the moralist.
Note: any person becomes a moralist when he sets himself up as a judge
of others. Any time we judge another person, we are declaring that
we...
- are living by some rule that another person is not living by.
- are more moral than someone else.
- are better than someone else.
- are superior to somone else.
- are more righteous than someone else.
- are more acceptable to God than someone else.
Judging others says, "I am right, and he is not; I succeed, but he
fails." Therefore ...
- "Look at me, but ignore him."
- "Draw near to me, but shun him."
- "Esteem me, but put him down."
- "Approve me, but condemn him."
- "Be my friend, but withdraw from him."
Very simply, judging othes raises self and lowers others, exaults self
and debases others; and in the eyes of God this is wrong. It is a sin.
It is being full of self-righteousness, pride and arrogance. It sets
self up as a moralist, and it makes a person judemental and critical.
Mt 7 : 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Ro 14: 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to
his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall
be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Ro 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but
judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or
an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way.
Jas 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to
destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
2. The moralist is inexcusable, and he condemns himself because he does the
very same things. He fails just as the man whom he judges fails.
Scripture says ...
Ro 2: 1 ... for thou that judgest doest the same things.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but
will with the temptation also make a way to escape,
that ye may be able to bear [it].
Mt 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time,
Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall
be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his
brother without a cause shall be in danger of the
judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother,
Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever
shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mt 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time,
Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman
to lust after her hath committed adultery with her
already in his heart.
In God's eyes, sin is a matter of the heart and mind, and not just an
act. The thought and desire makes a person just as guilty as the act
itself. God knows that many would carry out their thoughts if they
had the courage or opportunity. God knows the heart, the mind, and the
thoughts. Sin, whether thoughts in the mind or acts in public, comes
short of God's glory. All stand guilty before God; therefore, the
moralist, the person who judges, is a guilty as the one judged. It is
for this reason that we are not to judge, criticize and find fault with
others.
Mt 7: 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's
eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Ro 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not
thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost
thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost
thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou
commit sacrilege?
Ga 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to
the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them]
all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of
Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the
Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny
[him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every
good work reprobate.
Thought 1. The point does not mean that judicial systems of the state
are wrong nor that the discipline is not to be exercised within families,
organizations, and the church. Scripture teaches that both justice and
discipline are to be exercised by men. What Scripture means is this:
we are not to go around criticizing and finding fault with each other and
putting each other down when one of us fails. Instead we are to reach
out and try and redeem and help each other. Imagine what a different
world this would be if all tongues were stopped! If all criticism and
fault-finding ceased! If everyone actually reached out and tried to
redeem and save those who failed!
Ga 6: 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which
are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Ro 14: 1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to
doubtful disputations.
Ro 15: 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of
the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak:
I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all
means save some.
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient
toward all [men].
--
Bro Tyler Nally <tnally@iquest.net> <tgnally@prairienet.org>
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