Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church0 by Eric Douma Gospel of Grace Fellowship December 13, 2015

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church1 Romans 2:12-13 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without 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 just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.  “ For” = further explains God’s impartiality in vs. 11  Have all sinned? = Yes! (Rom. 3:23)  Is anyone a perfect “doer” of the Law? = No! (Rom 3:9)

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church2 Romans 2:14 ESV For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.  “by nature” = possible translation: For when Gentiles, who do not have the law by nature, do what the law requires…  “they are a law to themselves” = “Not only did God reveal himself to them in nature (Rom 1:19–20) but he created them with a sense of moral obligation. This moral impetus encouraged a conduct that at many points overlapped what was taught in the laws of God given to Israel” (Mounce).

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church3 Romans 2:15-16 ESV They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.  “the work of the law…” = basic works required by the law  “written on their hearts” = an innate sense of right and wrong  “conscience” = suneidesis (to know together) It is not a moral norm, but the inner voice of a person that judges whether or not an act is right or wrong based on an outside norm.  “also bears witness” = Paul is perhaps thinking of Deut. 19:15

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church4 1.We must understand that a person’s conscience can be helpful in steering one away from sin, but it is not infallible. 2.We must know that God’s moral law is known to a certain degree by all people, and that it is violated by all people.

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church5 Romans 2:15-16a ESV They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day… The Believer’s conscience should be heeded: Romans 14:21-23 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin (cf. 1 Cor. 10:25-30).

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church6 The conscience may be weak: 1 Corinthians 8:7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 1 Corinthians 8:12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church7 The conscience may be evil and corrupt: Titus 1:15 All is pure to those who are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted. The conscience may be seared: 1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church8 The conscience may be cleansed: Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. The need for the Holy Spirit’s work via the Scriptures: Romans 12:2 ESV Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church9 God’s Law preceded the Mosaic Law: Genesis 4:6-7 ESV The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 18: For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” 20 And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.”

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church10 God’s Law is present after the Mosaic Law: 1 Corinthians 9:20-21 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. Noahic Covenant Adamic Covenant Mosaic Covenant Davidic Covenant The New Covenant God’s Law

Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church11 The Purpose of God’s Law: Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.