Romans 2:2
2 But [de] we are sure [eido] that [hoti] the judgment [krima] of God [theos] is [esti] according [kata] to truth [aletheia] against [epi] them which
commit [prasso] such things [toioutos]. KJV-Interlinear
2 We
know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. ESV
People can pride themselves at being able to fool
or deceive other people, but God cannot be deceived or fooled, or misdirected.
The phrase, we know, refers to every human being on
the planet, throughout history.
The Jews knew it, because the scriptures taught it.
The gentiles knew it because common sense taught
it.
And even though the gentiles did not have
possession of the scriptures as did the Jewish people, they still knew the
differences between right and wrong, and the needs for punishment for wrong
doing.
And as we see here, all know that it is God who
ultimately judges.
But knowing the repercussions of actions, does not
necessarily prevent people from doing them.
Spouses fail in their roles with each other. Most problems arise because they reject their
role, which is assigned by God.
People fail in society, because there are too many
enticements, distractions, or pressures, that lead them astray.
People fail in their spiritual lives, because they
simply do not want to follow Gods mandates, preferring their own definition for
what they see as spiritual. They do not
want to be obligated or held responsible, because not having responsibility is
easier than having to give up something.
God provides us with all that we have and need, but
it is extremely difficult to trust that God will replace something, if we give
it up. The pressures and desires of life
are very powerful devices that make ignoring God, justifiable.
And yet, knowing that there is a punishment for thoughts
or activity, is not enough incentive, simply because punishment is not
immediate.
We live in an instant gratification world. We want now, what we want now. And if someone wrongs us, then we want them
to be punished now, too.
The spiritual life is not that way. Punishment generally occurs over a long
period of time, and it can be blurred with the many variables of life that
likewise contribute to what might seem as ones blessings or punishments. Often times, there is not a direct correlation
between the circumstances of life and the circumstances of the spiritual life.
And when you lack spiritual resources, then life
gets even more blurred and you can be misguided even more easily.
But all that said, you know that you have
responsibilities, and you know that you will have repercussions if you defy
those responsibilities.
When it is all said and done, the results of your
life may not be completed and revealed until your entire life is over. But, that is quite an extreme, to wait until
you are gone from this world and then see your real loss, and then not be able
to correct yourself.
To ignore what will come, due to your ineffective
spiritual life, is the epitome of spiritual procrastination or disregard, and
it is all, your fault.
Do not wait for lightning to strike with your every
bad action, to correct you, because that is not how life works. God gave you volition and that is what you need
to use to correct yourself, apart from external prodding's.
Problems will occur in your life, but they exist
only as the reminder that you need to be doing more from the source of your own
decisions. Otherwise your spiritual life
is only an empty shell with no real spiritual punch to it.
