“Justification” is a big word in all religions. By definition the “god” of any religion is “other” and perfect and we as human are imperfect. In Christianity we say we are sinners and God is holy. Doing good deeds, thinking good thoughts, and improved life styles all are ways to reach out to that unseen deity or “force.” So the question of justification is a question of how we become “just as if I hadn’t sinned,” how do we become able to relate to the unknown?
At the beginning of chapter two, Paul claims that God is impartial and does not play favorites. He deals with non-Christians by natural law, by how we live in response to the truth of the realities of life we perceive, either through our religion or through nature. Jews have the Torah. Christians have the Gospel. And somehow others have natural law written on their hearts. Rebelling against our awareness of what we know is right and chasing false gods is idolatry and condemns us. Verse 12 says that just hearing truth, just going to church, just knowing is not good enough. We must be doers.
“12 All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified.”
But likewise being a “do-gooder” is not good enough. Many think that because they have been nice to their friends that they have fulfilled the Golden Rule, do onto others what you would have them do unto you, or love your neighbor as yourself. It seems to me that this kind of thinking makes God into Santa Clause, rewarding us with coal or goodies by our track record.
Let’s think today how we believe we become “justified”, come into right relationship with God. Perhaps it helps to ask ourselves what makes someone our good friend? Do we like people just because they do nice things for us? Can our friend speak truth to us when they disagree with us? What is the bottom line in our friendships? How does that translate into your relationship with God? Blessings as you reflect.
On the Way to Wonder 