In these first five weeks, we’ll explore the fundamental problem of humanity—sin—and the incredible promise of God’s righteousness. Paul paints a stark picture of the universal problem of sin, but he also provides a powerful promise: the righteousness of God, revealed through faith. We will journey through Paul’s theology of human depravity and God’s provision, grounding ourselves in the reality of both our brokenness and the hope found in Jesus Christ.


Paul continues to address judgment and hypocrisy, emphasizing that all people are accountable to God. He stresses that true righteousness comes from the heart and not merely from outward adherence to the law.


How can you ensure that your actions align with your professed beliefs and avoid hypocrisy?

Read:
Romans 2:1-4
2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 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?

Cross-Reference:
Luke 6:37-38;
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Acts 17:30-31
30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

Reflection:
Judging others while committing the same sins is hypocritical. God's kindness leads us to repentance.

Question:
How can you be more mindful of avoiding hypocrisy in your judgments of others?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to reflect Your kindness and avoid hypocrisy in my judgments of others.

Read:
 Romans 2:5-8
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Cross-Reference:
Galatians 6:7-8;
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
 
 2 Corinthians 5:10 
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Reflection:
God’s judgment is based on people’s deeds. Those who persist in doing good will receive eternal life, while those who are self-seeking will face wrath.

Question:
How can you focus on doing good in the face of temptation and difficulties?

Prayer:
Father, give me strength to persevere in doing good and to trust in Your righteous judgment.

Read:
Romans 2:12-15
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

Cross-Reference:
Romans 3:19;
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
 
Galatians 2:15-16;
15 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Reflection:
The law is for the Jews, but even Gentiles who do not have the law show that God’s law is written on their hearts.

Question:
How does the concept of God’s law being written on the hearts of all people shape your understanding of accountability?

Prayer:
Lord, help me recognize Your law written in my heart and live in alignment with Your righteous standards.

Read:
 Romans 2:16
16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Cross-Reference:
Matthew 7:21-23;
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
 
 1 Peter 1:17  
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Reflection:
God will judge people's secrets through Jesus Christ according to the Gospel.

Question:
How can you ensure your heart is aligned with God’s truth rather than just outward appearances?

Prayer:
Father, search my heart and reveal any areas where I may be living in hypocrisy or hiding from Your truth.

Read:
Romans 2:17-24
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you

Cross-Reference:
 Matthew 23:25-28;
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

 1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Reflection:
True righteousness is not about mere external compliance but about an internal transformation and genuine relationship with God.

Question:
What steps can you take to ensure that your relationship with God is genuine and not just outward conformity?

Prayer:
Lord, transform my heart so that my righteousness reflects Your love and not just outward appearances.

Read:
Romans  2:6-8
6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Cross-Reference:
1 Peter 1:17;
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Revelation 20:12
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Reflection:
True circumcision is of the heart, not just the flesh. It is a matter of the Spirit and not the letter of the law.

Question:
How can you seek a deeper, more genuine relationship with God beyond mere external practices?

Prayer:
Jesus, circumcise my heart and help me to worship You in Spirit and truth.

Read:
Psalm 51:6; 
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord,
    circumcise your hearts,
    you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,
or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire
    because of the evil you have done—
    burn with no one to quench it.

Cross-Reference:
Matthew 5:8;
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God

 2 Corinthians 7:1. 
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Reflection:
God desires truth in the inward parts and integrity of the heart.

Question:
How can you cultivate integrity and truthfulness in your relationship with God and others?

Prayer:
Lord, purify my heart and mind so that I may live with integrity and truth in all my dealings.