What are you storing up?

Romans 2:2-4 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

It can be so easy to sit back and point our finger at others, knowing that they are going to be judged for sinful actions. When is the last time you have taken a close look at your own life? We get so accustomed to God’s mercy because He doesn’t smack us every time we deserve it. We begin to think that we are above reproach. Look around the church. Every one of us has things that we do on a regular basis that are wrong. We may call them bad habits or just plain ignore them, but we all seem to think that we have arrived at some sort of status quo. I don’t do the big sins anymore so I’m ok. Do we read the Bible or listen to a sermon actually expecting for it to hurt a little and cause us to grow or do we think “so and so needs to hear this”? God withholds judgment because He loves us. He gives us warning after warning in hopes that we will make the right decision. If we don’t, however, we will receive the judgment we deserve. Solomon’s Book of Wisdom 11:23 says, “But Thou art merciful to all, for Thou canst do all things and Thou dost overlook men’s sins, that they may repent.”
Romans 11:22 says, “Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.”

Vs 5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

CF: Romans 6:1-2 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

Vs 6-8 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.

CF: Job 34:11 He repays people according to their deeds.
He treats people as they deserve.

Psalm 62:12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people
according to what they have done.

Jeremiah 17:10 But I, the LORD, search all hearts
and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
according to what their actions deserve.”
32:19 You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. You see the conduct of all people, and you give them what they deserve.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

II Cor 5: 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Revelation 2:23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.
20:12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.
22:12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”

Romans 14:12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

So is salvation by works or grace?
Salvation is by grace alone, but faith without works is dead. An ongoing pursuit of God and what is right displays a commitment of the heart. Those who have not been saved by grace will be judged for their actions. It is only the blood of Christ covering our sins that keeps us from the same judgment.

Vs 8-11 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.[a] 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

When you read these verses in context it is obvious that Paul is emphasizing God’s impartiality between Jew and Gentile. Cf. Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.