Romans 2:14
14 For [gar] when [hotan] the Gentiles [ethnos],
which [ho] have [echo] not [me] the law [nomos], do [poieo] by nature [phusis] the things [ho] contained
in the law [nomos], these [houtos], having [echo] not [me] the law [nomos], are [eisi] a law [nomos] unto
themselves [heautou]: KJV-Interlinear
14 For
when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires,
they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. ESV
The law of nature is the law of common sense. It exists naturally and everyone knows it. And as Paul states, even those who have never
heard of the Mosaic Law, or any principle of law, have the natural knowledge of
knowing right from wrong.
So, if we have the law and many written and
communicated regulations teaching us what is right and what is wrong, then
where is the excuse for us if we disregard those rules? Especially when there are those who throughout
history have not had written rules of personal obligation, and still they
maintain some semblance of order in their lives.
But there is one more very important principle. And that principle is that Paul is herein
talking about not the Mosaic Law, but the principle of law, all of which comes
from God.
That principle, is the natural law between God and
man.
People know that there is a God, and that man is
sinful and that man needs some higher power in order to get not only through life
but into the hereafter. And even though
people come up with some pretty bizarre ideas, they still recognize that common
truth.
So, again, if there are those who can figure it out without
the Bible, then again, where is the excuse for us that have the Bible and have
Gods written mandates, and yet ignore them?
So, you have your spiritual choices before you. They
are plain and in writing. If you ignore
them then you certainly have no excuse for the many failures that you will have
in life.
Others can be responsible in life, when they have no
such written guidelines, but we have them and we know them, and therefore how
much more is our obligation to keep those many Christian responsibilities?
