“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. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 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.” (NLT)

Have you ever been so sure that you are the expert at something, but then, when helping someone else do the task or project that is new for them, you end up forgetting to follow the correct steps? I had it come up a few weeks ago while helping a coworker with creating a series of pivot tables in Microsoft Excel to analyze his data. We cranked through the data in about 20 minutes, when it would have taken him hours to work through it line by line. I then forgot to save the spreadsheet and wiped out all the cool work we had just done. Oops… I missed a critical step in the process because I thought I had the process mastered.

‍

I know for me, the desire to help someone else learn something new that I have already figured out can be a natural reflex. The catch is that if I am not careful, I get too focused on helping them and end up skipping steps myself. It sometimes can become a trainwreck…

‍

This is similar to what Paul is sharing in these verses. Why would Paul remind religious people—those who knew God’s law, attended worship, and prided themselves in moral behavior—of the “reap what you sow” principle? Because they had forgotten it applied to them, too.  

‍

In Romans 2, Paul is dismantling the false security of religious people who think they are exempt from judgment because of their heritage, knowledge, or external behavior. These are people who look at the “sinners” described in Romans 1 and think, “They deserve it.” Paul says, “Actually, you do too.” Why? Because God “will render to each one according to his works.” (Romans 2:6) This principle isn’t just for the obvious rebels; it’s for everyone.

The religious often fall into a dangerous trap—believing that hearing and knowing God's Word is the same as doing it. But Paul reminds them (and us) that God's judgment is impartial. External religion can mask a heart that is unrepentant, self-seeking, and resistant to truth. A hard heart doesn’t need to be irreligious—it can show up in church, pray amazing prayers, and demonstrate polished behavior that hides pride and stubbornness.

‍

Paul isn’t preaching salvation by works. Instead, he’s showing that no one earns salvation by their works—religious or otherwise. He’s preparing the ground for the gospel by tearing down the illusion of righteousness that so many “religious” people build for themselves.

‍

The principle of “reap what you sow” is not about achieving salvation through deeds, but about revealing the need for grace. When our lives are honestly examined, who can claim perfect patience in dealing with others, a pure pursuit of God’s glory, and unwavering obedience to the truth? Not one.

‍

So, Paul’s warning is a mercy. He confronts the religious not to shame them, but to awaken them. They need the gospel just as much as the rebellious—because underneath the robes of religion can lie the very same pride and self-dependence that separates anyone from God.

‍

Reflection Questions:

Okay… Time to pull out the instruction manual and make sure we are following the correct steps. Here are some thoughtful reflection questions that help me personalize these verses:

• In what ways do I rely on religious habits or knowledge to feel "safe" before God? (What makes me think I’m “doing okay” spiritually?)

• Do I sometimes compare myself to others to feel more righteous? (Who do I subtly think is “worse” than me, and why?)

• Where might my heart be hard or resistant to God's correction? (Is there an area where I’ve ignored conviction or justified sin?)

• Do I seek God's glory and honor—or am I more often motivated by self-interest? (What does my daily life reveal about what I truly value?)

‍

Just like the Excel example above, I have to make sure I am not going on auto-pilot in my daily walk. How about you?

Father, help me not to hide behind religious appearance or activity. Soften my heart where it has become hard and lead me to repentance. Remind me daily that I need your grace, and that only through Jesus do I stand righteous before You. Help me live not for my own glory, but to seek Yours with a sincere heart. Amen.