ROMANS 2:1 HYPOCRITICAL JUDGING There was no question that those who were written about in chapter one, were ungodly sinners whose sins condemned them - and they knew it. In chapter two the people addressed were passing judgment on the others who they felt didn't rise to their level of righteous living. The truth was, they were right. The problem was, as they were looking down on others, they were condemning themselves. They were doing the same things in their hearts - and "man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart."
The principles of righteous judgment they were overlooking. God judges according to truth. His standard is His own holiness. God also passes righteous judgment based not on the deeds of men but on the actual carrying out of a work; not on one's opinion of their work or others' opinions. It is quite easy to be critical of another person while doing nothing. The sins of commission will be judged it is true, but so will the sins of omission.
Another criterion for God's righteous judgment is based on the amount of the light of truth a person has. This light of truth has been given to many favored people. However, "If that light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness." Others are limited to the light of creation, of conscience and of the goodness of God. Their judgment will be based on that and how they have responded to that degree of light.
Hypocritical judgment condemns the one who judges because they also have the light of the Word of God, the light of the example of other believers, the light of biblical ordinances and practices. The light of the Gospel and its results seen in the lives of those who have repented of sin and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ will also condemn hypocritical judgment. Those people have no excuse at all for their unbelief. By condemning others, that hypocritical judgment condemns them.
To look down on others less fortunate than you Can leave you in a very dangerous case. For God is the Supreme Judge of all men, And doesn't allow people to take over that place. Those who think themselves superior to others, Because of race, culture, education or religion - Will find themselves to be judged by God's perfect standard, Not by their own values or condescending opinions.
One of God's stated principles of righteous judgment, Is judgment according to His truth. Another criterion has to do with accumulated guilt; Still another is judgment according to works. Also, the judgment of God we learn, Is without partiality or respect of persons. God's judgment reaches the secrets of the heart, And is according to reality, not religious profession.
There is no mistake about this fact, The shed blood of the Lord is the only way to be redeemed.
Philosophy, and morality are self-deceptions, Other ideas of divine acceptance are only dreams; The proud judges of other people are condemned; Just the same as those who sin by actions. A "religious roof" does not protect or save one's soul, Or bring to the Holy God just satisfaction.
"Holy, Righteous God: these great principles of Thy righteous judgment are overlooked by mankind as a whole. In the preaching of the Gospel, I pray Thou wilt guide Thy servant to present the dangers of judging hypocritically. May I never allow my opinions and judgments to be such as would be inconsistent with my own life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."