Judgment vs. Repentance: Saint Paul's thoughts in Romans 2: 3-4

 Rome! The most important city of the entire world in the days of Saint Paul. The Roman Empire had expanded to many parts of the known world and its army was vast and strong. The rulers of Rome were powerful and the wealth of their national treasury was great. Rome was a great trade center and many slaves were in Rome to assist the citizens of Rome in a vibrant economy.

 The letter to the Romans as it appears in the New Testament had been sent to the Christian church in Rome by Paul, a Roman citizen himself.
  In other Pauline letters in the New Testament, Paul had been to the locations he had sent these various letters. He often was the founder of many of these churches, yet this particular letter was quite different. Why? The Christian church in Rome was already established and Paul had never been there.

 Around 49 A.D., the Emperor Claudius declared an order that all people of the Jewish faith and origin must leave Rome. They had been involved with trouble within the great city. One Roman writer named Suetonius wrote of someone named "Chestus" had caused much of this trouble. Numerous historians think this "Chestus" is the Christus (the Christ) of the Christian faith. What we do know is the Jewish people strongly opposed those who believed in Christus, even though the Christian faith had originated within the framework of Judaism. The real focus of this trouble for Jewish people living in Rome were the ones within their own community who had accepted this Christus as their Messiah. 

 It is thought Saint Paul had written this letter to the Romans around 57 A.D. Although as mentioned Paul had not been to Rome, he did know a number of people who were a part of the Christian church in Rome.
 Saint Paul did not actually arrive in Rome until 60 A.D., and he came as a prisoner. Paul had been sent for judgment by the Roman courts in his involvement and personal belief in this One known as Christus. Although a prisoner during his visit, Paul was given limited freedom to preach and teach others of his faith in this Messiah, and even spoke of his intentions to visit Spain.
 In 64 A.D., a terrible fire happened in Rome, commonly known as "the great fire of Rome." The infamous Nero had become Emperor and accused Christians of starting this fire. A Roman writer named Tacitus mentioned a great amount of Christians resided in Rome during that time. 
 After the great fire, Christians were viewed in Rome as "enemies of the human family." Numerous historians claim it was Nero himself who had purposely started this great fire.

  In this letter to the Christian church, Paul writes from the city of Corinth as dictated to a man named Tertius. The reason for this letter was to give clarity to the gospel of this One known as Christus, to offer practical advice on how Christians should treat and respect one another, and to address Christian behavior toward rulers and those in authority including those of Roman rule.
 Saint Paul was equally concerned over the division within the Roman Christian community between the Jewish and Gentile sects. Arguments had begun to arise with this body of local believers for two distinct reasons: 1) Christians from the Jewish faith claimed God had given Old Testament law that must continue to be obeyed by all, Jew and Gentile alike. 2) The Gentile Christians (non-Jewish) contended by accepting Christus they were free from old religious laws including the laws of the Old Testament which by this time were mixed with Jewish traditions and customs.
  Saint Paul addresses the subject of judging one another. He brings his argument as many writers would at that time, creating a person in his mind that has strong opinions about judging. Saint Paul describes a man who is not given a name yet is one that is quick to make judgments about others that leads to accusations. This man apparently thinks he has little or no error in his own logic, ignoring any sin in his own life yet pointing out sin in others.  Paul focuses his emphasis on God's meaning of judgment and how it is to be demonstrated in our lives. This imaginary person who is compelled to point out sin and make judgment of others has concluded God's patience and kindness toward all men is of little or no value. Paul then writes this is a wrong way of thinking , rather to put focus on the true message of Christus; called to a true repentance and causing us to change the way we think...including our acceptance of others.

 Paul begins this letter to the believers in Rome as he did with many of the Pauline epistles, putting his name at the beginning of the letter with a description of who he is.


                                                           A Gleaning from Romans 2: 3-4

" We are all very human...human beings indeed! As human beings, are we called to judge one another from our personal views on life? It seems when given the chance, we are quick to point fingers at another in a seemingly vain attempt to distract God from our own selfish judgmental attitudes. The truth being we see ourselves as a type of judge and are called to a life of warning others of what is to come if they do not change according to our instructions. Does this rationale not originate from our own insecure way of thinking? Do we think because we are now His people that God is happy with our judging of one another, that God is such a great guy  if we do make an error in judgment with others, God will somehow get us off the hook and not others? 
 Don't you see the silliness in such logic? God is One who has exhausting patience toward us. Yet, we are not to ignore the true message of Christus through irrational and condemning judgment of others. Think this through again! 
 I am of a complete persuasion God is kind, patient, and willing to suffer through as we learn to cultivate a friendship in Him. This does not allow me to view this God as ignorant, soft, or blind. Judging others does not lead anyone to Christus. It is His kindness towards each of us that invites and nurtures this friendship. Only through this train of thought the eyes of our heart are opened and gift of repentance is welcomed. 
 Judging others does not lead anyone to the arms of our loving Christus. It is His kindness toward us which empowers us to be kind with one another that ushers in this unique way of drawing hearts to desire a friendship with Him. It is the avenue that leads us to the gift of repentance and creates a desire for us to want to change and please Him. It gives purpose to our existence and is the very encouragement we need to make radical life changes."