Judgement for Gentiles

[전승훈2]

Summary:

God judges people based on their actions and the moral knowledge they have. Those without the Law (Gentiles) will perish without it, and those under the Law (Jews) will be judged by it. Merely hearing the Law isn't enough—one must live by it. Even Gentiles, without having the Law, may act in line with it because God's moral law is written on their hearts, as seen in their conscience. Ultimately, God will judge everyone’s hidden thoughts and actions through Christ Jesus.

Teaching:

When Gentiles, who do not have the Law, act according to the Law by nature, their actions become a law to them, even without knowing the Law. For example, someone may not know the Bible, yet still love their neighbor, help the poor, and remain faithful to their spouse. These actions, motivated by natural morality, conscience, and social manners, effectively become the Law for them. Therefore, even without having received the Law, if one is convinced of God's existence, that is enough.

This means that not only those who received the Law (the Israelites), but also those who did not, are subject to judgment.

In the Bible, “conscience” refers to a heart that desires to understand and discern what is right. The word has Hebrew roots. A person with conscience thinks about what is right, learns, understands, and lives accordingly. Someone who has no desire to understand, who refuses to listen and learn, is considered to have no conscience and is no different from an animal. A person with conscience allows the desire to understand to overcome the impulse to justify themselves.

The reason we read, listen to, and follow the Bible is to guard and maintain our conscience.

Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, June 26, 2025

Roman 12:12-16

(D-63)