Doers are Those Justified

“¹³For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” — Romans 2:13 (ESV)

The first thing I think when reading the above is that my justification is based on works. It is this “first thing” that gets the headlines and the lack of fully understanding. It is NOT about the works, although the works are an indicator. There has to be more study in place to understand. I have to dig deeper than just the single verse which is likely to be taken out of context when used in a discussion.

Doers of the law are those that use their salvation and relationship with God to do His work. It is not the work that leads to the justification, but the doing of the work in the name of God and for His glory. It is not about being seen by the world doing the work, but about being seen by God.

Knowing that which is right and doing that which is right are two very different things. Paul makes it clear as he continues his letter that it is the doing of what is right and not just knowing and professing which is right.

“²¹you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²²You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.” — Romans 2:21-23 (ESV)

See what Paul says here that even knowing what is right does not make your actions right. It is possible to even teach one thing and do another whether, stealing, adultery, robbing temples, and any breaking of God’s law. It the keeping of God’s law that we should be concerned with. It is doing the law of God for all to be aware. Even if no one of this world sees, God sees and It is what He sees that brings our justification.

I want God to see me doing His work and not doing the work of the world. Yes, is some cases those works align, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and the like. But, largely, the world sees things only from their own eyes and focus on doing things that others can see to ensure that they are “being good” and then behind the scenes, there is a full on assault on that which is good. Let it be known that where the world may not know, God does and it is in those actions that we are judged by God. It is “the doers of of the law who are justified”.

What are you doing, the work of God? Are you focused on pleasing the world because you know what is right and teach others, all the while going against it? What if you focused on doing the work of the LORD to ensure that you are justified for that work in the eyes of God?