EXPLORE THE TEXT
Our eternal destiny is based on our response to God in this life.
6 He will repay each one according to his works:
7 eternal life to those who by persistence
in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality;
8 but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking
and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness.
9 There will be affliction and distress
for every human being who does evil,
first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;
10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does
what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
11 For there is no favoritism with God.
Paul wanted both Jews and the Gentiles to realize
that good works do not provide salvation.
Good works bring glory to God and reveal our relationship
with Him, but they will never save anyone from judgment.
Share the following case study:
John and Sam both love to play golf.
On a par three hole, John takes three strokes and records a par,
while Sam takes five strokes and records a par.
Sam thinks he deserves the same score as his friend.Ask:
- How do people treat God with indifference and expect the same result as their friend who honors God?
- How do Paul’s words in these verses relate to that?
Emphasize God’s impartiality when it comes to judgment:
God judges all people in the very same way.
There is no favoritism with God. .Like the Jews of the first century,
some individuals today may view themselves as uniquely
special to God because of their heritage. .Nothing could be further from the truth.
Nobody can count on favoritism with God
to give them a right relationship with Him. (PSG, pp. 23-24)