The Courtroom in Our Hearts

Summary: We continue "Opening up Romans" and Paul's devastating critique of humanity's sin- including the Jewish people. Romans 2:12-16 speaks of how God's righteous judgment is true even for Gentiles who don't have the Ten Commandments. Because God has written his law on the walls of the courtroom of our hearts and appointed Christ as the final Judge, no one can escape his righteousness and impartial judgment- and no believer needs to fear this. THE STANDARDS OF JUDGMENT (v.12) *note the subtle shift from perish to be judged application: more light means more liability. Exposure to the law doesn't lower but raises the bar THE STANDARD OF ACQUITTAL (v.13) *see James 1:22-25 Theology: Why does Paul say the doers of the law…will be justified? Summary: For those in Christ, he case isn't pending; the case is closed. We're justified by faith alone; on the last day, that faith will be seen in a life of obedience. Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone. THE COURTROOM OF THE HEART (vv.14-15) scene 1: The heart scene 2: The conscience scene 3: Your thoughts scene 4: The judge THE VERDICT OF THE JUDGE (vv.16) Bridging to the Gospel: Our judge is also our Savior!