“…God will judge men’s secrets…” Romans 2:16

Rome was a hotbed of perversion, licentiousness, idolatry, and polytheism, with an “anything goes” mentality of self-centered satisfaction. Paul confronted its influence on the 1st century Roman Christians with the arguments of absolute truth, the value of God’s law, and ultimate accountability to God.

Paul asserted that all who sin apart from the law will perish apart from the law (v.12). They will be held to a higher standard: the law of heaven (absolute truth), made evident through all that God created (vv. 1:19 – 20). He pointed out that those who sin under the law, will be judged by that law (Mosaic and Levitical law). Those who will be declared righteous before God are those who kept God’s commandments and precepts, not those who just heard them and failed to act upon them (v.13).

When a person’s nature inclines him/her toward goodness apart from the guidelines of God’s Word, they become a law unto themselves, affirming and pointing to the wisdom of The Word. Paul described it as God’s law having been “written on their hearts” (vv. 14 – 15). In this dynamic, God recognizes their consciences and thoughts bearing witness for or against them. So, it seems Paul is defending God’s right to judge… even when a culture or people group have not been exposed to His precepts.

In any case, everyone – every man, woman, boy or girl will stand (or kneel)  before God in judgment. It will be a day when God will judge men’s secrets… and many of us may have secrets that we would just as soon not tell anyone else about, and prefer no one else discover. Yet, it is certain, those secrets were never kept hidden from God, Who sees all and knows all. Paul gave a qualifier in his description of the day men’s secrets will be judged: all will be judged through Jesus Christ (v.16). Jesus is the heavenly defender for those who have embraced His righteousness and lived their faith out through works of goodness and truth. When it comes down to a verdict upon one’s soul, God’s Son is also the filter through which all God’s discerning power flows. We have a Defender in Jesus Christ, and we have the character of God’s mercy which flows through the Lamb of God – slain from the foundation of the world (Isaiah 53:7; Revelation 5:9&12, 13:8).

One in Christ need not fear the secrets of one’s past… it is all water under the bridge… the past is past for a reason… and it was all nailed to the cross of Calvary. Jesus will not resurrect your past – He is not a joy-kill, He is a life-giver! So, be sure you are reconciled to God through Christ today – don’t wait.

Yes, God WILL judge men’s secrets which are filtered through the blood of the cross… and one is deemed white as snow.

Have a blessed weekend…