Sometimes, we as Christians fight the wrong battles. I get it, we see things that stir up our emotions and our indignation and we want to fight against it. We cast harsh judgements with our words through social media or even in private conversations.

In Romans 1, Paul gives a pretty devastating synopsis on the fallen human condition. In verse 18 he starts out by saying that “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness”. For the remainder of the chapter, he describes fallen behavior and what this statement really means and looks like. Many Christians quote much of this chapter in “righteous judgement” against those they deem to be wicked. To be honest, I know that I have done this also… we all probably have at some point.

However, let’s look at chapter 2… the wake up call! In chapter 2 verse 1, Paul comes out swinging! He says “You, therefore, have NO EXCUSE, you who PASS JUDGEMENT on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, YOU ARE CONDEMNING YOURSELF, because you who pass judgement DO THE SAME THINGS!!!” WOW! In verse 3, we can get more perspective “So when you, a MERE HUMAN BEING, pass judgement on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgement?” Verse 4 is the great reminder; “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended TO LEAD YOU TO REPENTANCE”.

When we look at these verses, we should see the acts surrounding us in our lives and it should not call us to indignation, it should call us to understand God’s kindness toward us even greater… to save a wretch like me!! His kindness in not giving us over to wickedness is intended to lead us to repentance and rejoice in our redemption!

The challenge would be NOT to have a stubborn and unrepentant heart, like verse 2:5 says. Otherwise God’s wrath will be stored against you when His judgement is revealed. Instead, respond the way He has called us to respond… introspectively review your heart, remember what you were saved from, repent from sin and this will result in us responding in the love God has called us to… repentance from sin and faith in the Savior!

So next time when something happens in our country/world that causes our moral outrage to flair, take a minute and remember that God, in His loving kindness, has SAVED us from our own hearts being drawn to wickedness. He has redeemed us unto righteousness and we should respond with self examination and repentance… not indignation and judgement.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jesse Horne