Judged According to Truth
A Sermon on Romans 2:1
Originally preached Oct. 12, 1956
Scripture
1Therefore 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.
Sermon Description
It is easy to identify sin in other people but rationalize one’s own sin. That is the very problem of the Jews that Paul explains in this sermon on Romans 2:1. Titled “Judged According to Truth”, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones warns the listener to be careful passing judgement on others because the same measure will be used on them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones walks through the condemnation of sin and how this gospel applies to everyone. Both the Jews and the Gentiles are without excuse and in danger of God’s wrath. Severe sins may be explained in the law and yet one may feel that condemnation does not apply to them since they are not “that bad.” Instead Paul warns that God’s judgement is always based on truth and His standard never changes. No one can measure up to that standard on their own and it is only by the gospel that Paul is preaching that can save and Christ brought that salvation. Instead of putting the condemnation on others and their sin, each should turn their own eyes to the truth of the Lord and make sure they are always aligning their truth with God’s truth.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is addressing the Jews in Romans 2 and aiming to convince them of their sinfulness and need for justification.
- The Jews thought they did not need salvation because they were God's chosen people. They failed to see their ungodliness and unrighteousness.
- Paul argues that the Jews are without excuse because they judge others for the same sins they themselves commit. They condemn themselves by judging others.
- God's judgment is according to truth. It is not like man's judgment which varies and is fallible. God's judgment is eternal and unchanging.
- If we don't grasp that God's judgment is according to truth, we won't understand the wrath of God, justification by faith, the atonement, and we risk falling into antinomianism.
- God's judgment is always penetrating - he sees the heart, not just outward appearances. His standards never change. He cannot be bribed or bought.
- Though the Jews were God's chosen people, he still judged them for their sins. God has no favorites or respect of persons. Sin is sin.
- The lifelessness of the Christian church today may be partly due to an unconscious antinomianism - thinking that because we are saved, it doesn't matter how we live. But God's judgment is always according to truth.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.