THERE IS NO RESPECT OF PERSONS WITH GOD

Romans 2:5-11 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God.

Here, in Paul's epistle to the Roman Christians, the comparison is made between exercising judgments by human beings here on earth, and that of God in heaven. Judgment, in this sense, is not mere misfortune, neither is it an opinion, estimate, criticism, or censure. Rather, it is used here in its legal sense as judgment based on existing jurisprudence. The system of laws being considered is the law of God and its application. When administered by mankind, its justice is often faulty. On many occasions it is administered with bias, partiality, and often lacks validity, fairness, and righteousness. On the other hand, since it is God's law that is being administered, we can be sure that the judgment of God is according to truth (Vs. 2). God's law is that by which all mankind will be judged. Some may evade God's law when administered by mankind. However, no one will escape the righteous judgment of God (See Vs. 3 & 5).

Myself, and probably all that give it serious consideration, are glad that God, rather than an individual or a panel of peers, will administer His law. Why? First of all, and unlike the judgment of mankind, I am sure the judgment of God will be impartial, without bias, and will be made according to truth; ...(it will be) the righteous judgment of God. Secondly, if by God, I know that His judgment will be filled with forbearance and longsuffering (Vs. 4). His judgment is administered, not in a manner that hurriedly exercises justifiable punishment, but allows sufficient time for repentance (Also see Vs. 4). Mankind's judgment, for the most part, is carried out immediately. Without consideration for repentance, punishment for the convicted soon follows, and is often administered hastily as an example to deter others from committing similar criminal acts.

Now consider human judgment, and the judgment of God, and as they reward mankind. Verse six tells us what God uses as the basis of His judgment. (God) ...will render to every man according to his deeds. One's ability and accomplishments are often given much less consideration when mankind administers rewards. Sometimes more importance is placed on things like political affiliation, one's ability to return favors, the family you are born into, even race and the color of one's skin. God's blessings are freely given to those that patiently continue to do well, that which is right and just, both to God and to their fellow man.

Paul says it this way: God's rewards will be extended to those who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. Verse 10 lists blessings that God holds in store for all mankind that seek to do His will: glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good. He also lists the deeds that God looks upon with favor, as well doing and good works. On the other hand, notice how God, the righteous Judge, dispenses justice to both Jew and Gentile that rebel against obeying His will - those that are contentious, untruthful, and unrighteous. Paul writes, that God will mete out indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. Evil doing, as Paul writes here, is acting rebellious toward God's will and failing to obey His truth and righteousness.

This is God's justice. No evil, unrighteous person will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven, and, likewise, no good, righteous person will be condemned to live eternally in hell. Whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, will have no bearing where one will spend eternity, neither will what they look like, their wealth or poverty, or their social rank. Only their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the will of God will have any bearing. Why? Because, unlike human judges, there will be no partiality in God's judgment of mankind. Indeed, there is no respect of persons with God!