Episode 840
Confronting Judgment: A Profound Reflection on Romans 2:1-11. | Ep 840
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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The discourse presented in this episode delves into the profound themes encapsulated within Romans 2:1-11, wherein the juxtaposition of judgment and grace is meticulously examined. The speaker, Dr. Brad Miller, articulates a compelling narrative that challenges listeners to reflect on the pervasive tendency of individuals to cast judgment upon others, often as a mechanism of self-preservation or denial of one's own failings. This analysis is particularly poignant in the contemporary context of social media, where the act of criticism is not only prevalent but often celebrated. Dr. Miller posits that such judgmental attitudes serve as a mirror, reflecting our own insecurities and shortcomings rather than providing an accurate portrayal of the subjects of our scrutiny. He invites us to reconsider the implications of our judgments and to recognize the psychological insights that underscore this human behavior.
Furthermore, Dr. Miller redefines the notion of divine kindness as articulated in the scripture, asserting that God's kindness is not to be misconstrued as permissiveness or weakness. Rather, it embodies a transformative power that beckons individuals towards genuine change and growth. The speaker emphasizes that embracing this divine kindness entails a commitment to self-examination and personal evolution, urging listeners to comprehend that while God’s grace is abundant, it is accompanied by a call to accountability. The episode concludes with an actionable practice termed the 'judgment pause', wherein individuals are encouraged to reflect on their own biases and fears before hastily condemning others. This practice not only fosters personal growth but also nurtures a more compassionate perspective towards fellow beings.
Takeaways:
- The episode delves into the perils of judgment, urging listeners to self-reflect before criticizing others, highlighting the danger of projecting our insecurities.
- We explore the profound concept of God's kindness, positing that it is transformative and not a sign of weakness, guiding us toward authentic growth.
- Paul's message subverts traditional notions of privilege, advocating for the universal dignity of all individuals, regardless of cultural or religious backgrounds.
- Listeners are encouraged to engage in a 'judgment pause' as a practical exercise to reflect on their judgments, fostering self-awareness and understanding.
- The discussion emphasizes that divine love transcends human hierarchies, asserting that God's recognition of our worth is independent of societal opinions.
- We conclude with a reminder that judgment often distracts us from our own shortcomings, and we must embrace the transformative nature of God's grace.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
The danger of judgment, the promise of grace, A Reflection on Romans 2:1, 11 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:This is your daily visit with the New Testament reading.
Speaker A:For this very day we read from the Revised Common Lectionary where it's a three year cycle of reading through the entire Bible.
Speaker A:We're in Year C, the Lenten season.
Speaker A:We make the Bible here understandable.
Speaker A:We read from the Message version of the Bible relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder and applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step to take.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do all of that in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by our website voiceofgoddaily.com that is the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:Here is our reading for Today from Romans 2:1 11 Reading from the Message God is kind but not so soft.
Speaker A:Those people are on a dark spiral downward.
Speaker A:But if you think that leaves you on a high ground where you can point your finger at all at others, think again.
Speaker A:Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself.
Speaker A:It takes one to know one.
Speaker A:Judgmental criticism of others is a well known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors.
Speaker A:But God isn't so easily diverted.
Speaker A:He sees right through all your such smokescreens and holds you to what you've done.
Speaker A:You don't think you do that just by pointing your finger at others.
Speaker A:You won't distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard.
Speaker A:Or do you think that because he's such a nice God, he let you off the hook?
Speaker A:Better think this one through from the beginning.
Speaker A:God is kind, but he's not soft in kindness.
Speaker A:He takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into radical life change.
Speaker A:You're not getting getting by with anything.
Speaker A:Every refusal to of an avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire.
Speaker A:The day is coming when it's going to blaze hot and high.
Speaker A:God's fiery and righteous judgment.
Speaker A:Make no mistake, in the end you'll get what's coming to you.
Speaker A:Real life for those who work on God's side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance fire.
Speaker A:If you go against the grain, you get splinters regardless of which neighborhood you're from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended.
Speaker A:But if you embrace the way God does things, there are wonderful payoffs.
Speaker A:Again, without regard to where you are from or how you are brought up.
Speaker A:Being a Jew doesn't give you an automatic stamp of approval.
Speaker A:God pays no attention to what others say or what you think about.
Speaker A:He makes up his own mind.
Speaker A:What a passage.
Speaker A:We're talking here in this passage here about the danger of judgment and the promise of grace.
Speaker A:And we're going to get into this passage from Romans that really challenges our hearts before passing judgment on others.
Speaker A:This text is a little bit uncomfortable and that's what Paul intended, I believe.
Speaker A:So let's get into some points to ponder here.
Speaker A:One is the mirror of judgment.
Speaker A:Paul begins with a stark warning about judgment that feels remarkably relevant in our social media age.
Speaker A:When we tend to point fingers at one another, we're often projecting our own struggles and insecurities.
Speaker A:This isn't just ancient wisdom.
Speaker A:It's a psychological insight that reminds us of how judgment often says more about the judge than than about the judged.
Speaker A:A second point is about redefining God's kindness.
Speaker A:While traditional interpretations might focus on God's punishment, let's consider a more nuanced view of this passage.
Speaker A:God's kindness isn't weakness, it's transformative power.
Speaker A:When Paul speaks of God leading us to radical life change, he's describing a divine or godlike love that doesn't leave us where we are, but guides us gently towards growth and authenticity.
Speaker A:Another point it's about universal dignity.
Speaker A:Paul challenges religious privilege and cultural superiority.
Speaker A:His message that God pays no attention to what others say about us is revolutionary.
Speaker A:It dismantles hierarchies and suggests that divine love transcends our human categories of worth.
Speaker A:This was radical in Paul's time and it remains radical today.
Speaker A:Let's talk about an action step practice.
Speaker A:I would invite you to practice what we might call a judgment pause.
Speaker A:When you catch yourself making a quick judgment about someone or some situation.
Speaker A:Social medias where people do this a lot or in your personal relationships or maybe even a traffic pause and take three breaths in that pause.
Speaker A:Ask yourself what might this judgment reveal about my own struggles and fears?
Speaker A:And use this as a tool for self reflection rather than criticism.
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a moment, but I did want to remind you that we do have a great resource for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:You can pick it up at our website voiceofgoddaily.com it will help you to have your own personal life in the Bible that you get in complement to what you get here at the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We hope that you'll Take advantage of that at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are divine.
Speaker A:Love and we confess that judgment comes too easily for us.
Speaker A:We scroll and we criticize and we point fingers and often to avoid looking into our own hearts.
Speaker A:Help us to embrace your transformative kindness that both challenges and nurtures us.
Speaker A:Give us the courage to examine our own lives with honesty and with grace.
Speaker A:Guide us toward being agents of understanding rather than judgment.
Speaker A:Remember that we are all on this journey of growth together.
Speaker A:May we recognize your presence in every face we meet, even those we find difficult to love.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:It's always a pleasure and a privilege to be with you here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:It's always an honor.
Speaker A: million people by the end of: Speaker A:And you do that by going to voiceofgoddaily.com and joining me on the Daily Bible Refresh every single day.
Speaker A:And invite a friend next time.
Speaker A:Remember.
Speaker A:Until that time, My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love has hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
