“for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified” – Romans 2:13
Paul continues his careful unpacking of how God’s righteous judgment works—fairly and without favoritism. He reminds both those who received the law and those who did not that no one escapes accountability. It’s tempting to believe that not having God’s law makes one exempt, but Paul addresses even that loophole. Imagine a bystander in the crowd listening to Paul’s argument, suddenly thinking, “I’m not Jewish, so surely this doesn’t apply to me.” But Paul crushes that assumption. Whether you’ve studied the law like a theology major preparing for an exam, or simply observed religious rituals like auditing a class—you are still accountable to God’s standard. His judgment reaches the heart, not just the résumé.
Being a hearer of the Word isn’t enough. James warns that simply listening without acting leads to self-deception—a spiritual illusion. Like someone peering into a mirror and forgetting their reflection, a hearer who doesn’t obey God’s Word shows they don’t truly believe it. Take the rich young ruler in Luke 18, for example. He confidently told Jesus he’d kept every commandment, but Jesus pointed to the one thing he lacked—his unwillingness to let go of wealth and follow. His idol blocked obedience. Jesus wasn’t saying the ruler could earn salvation by works; He was showing the impossibility of keeping the law perfectly. Paul echoes this in Romans: the law was never meant to save, but to expose sin.
The Apostle Paul isn’t talking about earning salvation through works; it’s about revealing how God evaluates the heart. You can’t claim innocence because of ignorance or rely on knowledge without obedience. Salvation is through Christ alone—not lawkeeping—but those who are truly transformed by grace bear fruit in how they live. So ask yourself: Is my life producing the fruit of salvation I claim in my heart? This week, take time not just to hear God’s Word but to apply it—whether that means forgiving, serving, or surrendering something that has become an idol. True faith responds with action. Don’t just audit the gospel—live it.
surrendered devotions 