Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 2; Romans 2; Jeremiah 40; Psalms 15 & 16
Romans 2:14-16 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Every person has a God-given inner moral compass. It is called the conscience and it is a helpful thing for us to determine when we have done wrong. When you violate your conscience, you know it because it will tell you that you have done something that is contrary to that which is right. This conscience works in a person who has never heard the Bible. The Israelites had the Word of God which is the revelation of God to man giving perfect instruction in morality. However, for a Gentile who has never heard the Bible, they still have a sense of right and wrong. Where did that come from? It shows evidence of the work of the law written in their heart.
If you were to go to a remote group of people who have not ever heard the Bible they have laws. They consider adultery to be wrong and they punish murderers. They will retaliate against rival groups that steal from them. They value private property. Where did they get these ideas? They come from their Creator who made them with a conscience. When a person violates their conscience, they experience their thoughts accusing them. This is called guilt. When they do right their thoughts excuse them.
The point of Romans 2 is that whether a person has God's Word or not, God will judge their sin in Christ because they do know the difference between right and wrong. For this reason, the Bible says:
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
A person can observe the majesty of God's creation and know there is a God. When a person violates their conscience they prove that they are sinners. They experience guilt and then try to do something to pacify God and cleanse their conscience. This is where all religions come from. However, none of them can make a person who is guilty, not guilty. This is why the gospel of Jesus Christ is so glorious.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The blood of Jesus will purge your conscience from dead works. Do you know the conscience-purging reality of a relationship with Jesus?
In Christ,
Rody
