“Righteous Judgment”
4. Study of Romans
In the last few days, I have been reading Romans 2:5-11. I have been reading these passages over and over, and really it is so straight forward that I do not know what to say. I’ve given thought to it a lot, and there’s not much for me to do when it comes to explanation. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll write about my thoughts on the verses nonetheless. And to start it off, I think I need to backtrack a little bit. I’d like to mention Romans 2:4 and then start off with verse 5. Romans 2:4 (NLT), “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?“
Now we can get started in verses five and six.
Romans 2:5,6 (NLT), “But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.“
Verse 5 starts off with the conjuction, “but”. “But because…” so, it gives a contrast from what was, and then rewards the audience with a reason. Paul tells us right here, that one day, we will all have to stand in front of God and be judged. Everyone! And he uses the words in verse 6, “what they have done”. You see a Christian is saved from hell by asking forgiveness for their sins. So many people believe, that once they have asked for forgiveness, they can live life freely without God as their guide. But Paul clearly tells us that we are all going to be accountable for our actions one day. Here is my explanation. We are saved by asking God to forgive us of the sins we have committed. As the phrase goes, “sinners saved by grace”. But that doesn’t mean that we can just do as we please, because God knows the heart. The heart of a sincere person will not want to continue in sin. Once they have been forgiven, they will know that they need a drastic change in their life, and that they need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If we ask for forgiveness, but just continue sinning, sincerity was not a part of our asking God for forgiveness. I’m not saying that it is by works that we are saved. I am saying that once we trust, and have faith in God, we will want to do what pleases God. Sinning does not please God. Defeating sin is a hard battle, one that I gain footholds on one day only to slip the next. It’s not easy, because human nature is sinful. It’s a constant fight, one that takes a personal relationship Jesus Christ to conquer.
Romans 2:7 (NLT), “He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.“
I wrote in the post titled “Jetpack Christianity” that God awards those who seek after Him during their whole life. Paul is directly stating that right here in verse 7. That those who “keep on doing good” will inherit God’s glory.
Romans 2:8-9 (NLT), “But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.“
First of all there is one thing here that needs to be pointed out. God is truth, and if you deny that, then it doesn’t change truth, it only changes your own heart. Absolute truth is a reality ladies and gentlemen. Don’t think that truth changes because of your own worldview. If it did, it wouldn’t be called truth, it would be called “depending on”. Paul says that the Jew will be punished first and then the Gentile, and the reason for this is because Jesus meant for his ministry to start in the hearts of his own people, the Jews. After he had been with his own people, when he gave the apostles the Great Commision, he meant for his ministry to be taken to all parts of the world.
Romans 2:10-11 (NLT), “But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.“
Paul says it again here. That glory will be given to the Jew if he realizes that God’s son is Jesus Christ, and then if the Gentile realizes it too, he also will be given glory from God. It’s not so much that the Jew will be given glory first, but that Jesus walked among the Jews because he was Jewish, and his story was told first among the Jews. The Gentiles heard about Jesus second, and so God is giving the Jews the first draft pick, and Gentiles receive second draft pick.
-ZP
“Clock in the Freezer” rap to shy ronnie instrumental
so the video I’m putting up isn’t long enough for my rap, but by listening to the beat you understand how my rap goes with it.
rap of “clock in the freezer
verse 1:
big hands stuck, little hands rollin. got my rolex on and im out patrollin. 3 hours left, sigh, i wish i was time controllin’. the second hand is stuck cause i think its swollin’. 60 seconds to a minute, 60 minutes to an hour. rollin through london, i feel like i got the power. superman above the buldings, glance at ben the tower. 4 in the morning, and my eyelids start to cower. its negative celcius, yea gettin kinda chilly, spandex dont help, plus it looks kinda silly, this ain’t country, banjo, not hill billy. sneak to the chorus, sniper, got my gillie.
chorus:
open up the freezer- see the clock in the rear,
who put the clock in the freezer,
silly rabbit call you a time teaser,
and id like my side a salad-Caesar.
time froze, trying to unfreeze it,
carpe diem, everyday try to seize it,
hammer to the ice, hit thumb, throw a fit,
say a bad word, that ends with “it”,
clock in the freezer, ice dun’ froze it,
dont know the time, still trying to break it.
go to verse 2, four second split.
verse 1 sucks, but 2 will be legit.
verse 2:
ice in the tray, not water all the time. clocks in the freezer dont play, death penalty crime. cant buy minutes back, not with a dollar or a dime. better use what time u got, while ur in your prime. twist the clock up, and watch the hands unwind. you think you’re a saint, but boy you’re just blind. you got sin, naturel, its humankind. but look to the cross, a sinless man you will find. Clocks in the freezer, but only for one point. Jesus is the savior, God did anoint and appoint. To judge humankind, sorry to disappoint. No matter if you’re prayin’, sippin’ a beer, or smokin’ a joint.
chorus:
open up the freezer- see the clock in the rear,
who put the clock in the freezer,
silly rabbit call you a time teaser,
and id like my side a salad-Caesar.
time froze, trying to unfreeze it,
carpe diem, everyday try to seize it,
hammer to the ice, hit thumb, throw a fit,
say a bad word, that ends with “it”,
clock in the freezer, ice dun’ froze it,
dont know the time, still trying to break it.
-ZP
The Sideline Epidemic
So, I have a problem. In the last week, I have realized that that this problem is a big problem. You see, I’m the type of person that analyzes situations. In a big group, instead of blabbering my mouth, I remain silent, and observe. Because of this, I try to evaluate and make predictions. In a sense, I try to take control of my life and play out my predictions. That is my problem. When my plan doesn’t work out, I get discouraged. My plan is not God’s plan. I feel as if my life reflects a battle, where I am on the field. And on the sidelines, there is God. I act as if he is just there waiting for me to tap out, so he can enter and clean up the mess I have made. But this is what I realized. Fighting my battles like that gets me nowhere. Get This! There is no “I” in God, and there is no “I” in team. If I am trying to make my own way, and don’t acknowledge God as the guide, He is on the sidelines. And as I have noticed in the last 5 years of my life, my way doesn’t lead to very many happy places. Instead of putting “I” in my team, I’d rather put God in front. That way, it’s God’s team, and I can be a part of it.
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT), “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.“
-ZP
The Five Best Ways to Stay Awake During Class
So the other day, I had gotten only a few hours of sleep, and I was sitting in a lecture right around 1:00 pm. I was exhausted and I was starting to bob my head up and down, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay awake much longer. I decided the best way to stay awake right then was to write about the five best ways to stay awake during class. I now have a list of five ways for me, and anyone else to stay awake and attentive during class even when they would rather be catching some sleep.
The number one best way to stay awake in class is an easy one. It’s so key to staying awake, that I almost wanted to skip right over it, but I can’t because it really is the best way. Number one: sleep at night. If you get a good nights sleep, you will not fall asleep, no matter how boring the lecture is. But, like many college students, I rarely get a full night of sleep. On average, I sleep about four hours, and if I’m lucky, I will get 5-6 hours. So, the next four ways to stay awake in class assume that you are like me, and that you have not gotten enough sleep. Number two is to drink some caffeine before or during your class. Some people like to drink coffee, others like tea, and even others like soda products. I usually don’t have time to make coffee, and I’m not patient enough to wait in line at a coffee shop, so I grab a Dr. Pepper and bring it with me to my first class. The third best way to stay awake is to get interested in the subject matter being presented, and to follow along. If you pay attention to the lecturer, you will not think of how tired you are. If you follow along, and become interested, your brain will focus on the intake of information and not on catching zzz’s. The next way kinda tags along with number three. Number four is to take notes. Using a pen, and writing what you are hearing or seeing will make your brain wake up and complete the task you are trying to accomplish. Also, taking notes will allow your class period to result in something useful, and not just another wasted time slot. Number five is a pretty important one, almost as important as number one. Number five is to sit near the front and to sit with a good posture. Good posture allows good blood circulation which will stimulate your brain. A good posture is very important, and without it, your body will tell yourself that you are indeed in the mood to sleep. Sitting near the front is also very good. You don’t have the option to fall asleep in the front, because you know the teacher will surely notice you.
Those are the ways that I stay awake during class. I have even tried testing these, and when I incorporate 3, 4, and 5 together, I seem to be much more awake than I was as I dragged myself to class. I hope this offers a little bit of help. Just writing these down helps me.
-ZP
The Dream
I arrived at the gate second in line.
God called the first name, then there was mine.
I peered through the gate with excitement on my face.
I couldn’t believe I was finally at that place.
God asked, “what are you staring at?”
I said, “I want to enter, I cannot wait.”
But just as I spoke they had shut the gate.
God said, “I’m sorry, but that is not your fate.”
I cried out, “my whole life I was good,
I even helped the old woman in my neighborhood.
I was always in a delightful mood,
and anyone who asked I would give them food.”
God answered, “yes those are truly good deeds,
but to heaven only the cross leads.”
I cried and begged and asked for grace,
and it was then that I felt an embrace.
I suddenly woke up out of my dream.
My mother’s arms wrapped around me.
I realized the truth would set me free,
and that only being good would never make me clean.
-ZP
675 Words by Sarah Thomas
This story was written by Sarah around this picture of me. It is fantastic, enjoy!
“Grandpa, Grandpa….I found a
picture…is this you?” said my youngest granddaughter. I searched
my side table for my glasses, wondering what sort of photo she could
have found. I slowly slid my glasses onto my nose and took the photo
from her little hand. I was not prepared for the picture that was
before me. Quietly I replied, “Yes, dear, this is me,” hoping
that I would not have to explain much further. “Grandpa, tell me
the story,” she asked. What else could I do? I gazed into my
granddaughters eyes and saw the innocence that was lost so early in
my own youth. I sighed deeply and took my little one onto my lap,
holding the picture in my trembling hands, I began to tell my story.
“’Leave me alone! I don’t need your
help!’ I shouted back to my mother and stormed out of the house. I
got into my Ford Focus and sped so fast out of the driveway I left
tire tracks in my wake. ‘What does she know about me, about my life,
about anything I like?’ I thought out loud. I had enough thinking,
enough feeling, I didn’t want to do either one anymore-I turned up
the stereo up as loud as it could go, feeling the bass shake the
entire car. I didn’t know where I was going, I just had to go, and
that I did, at about 90 mph down the old dirt roads leading into the
city. I had only made it about halfway into the city before I started
to hear sirens, I looked in my rear-view mirror-but saw nothing. A
line of police cars, and fire trucks were coming straight at me, I
pulled into the dirt and just sat there waiting. I turned down the
radio, and took in what I saw..then I realized that we’re the only
family that lives on this road. As fast as my car could go I raced
back down the road, following the firetrucks..I’d raced my car
before, but I’d never seen it hit 120 mph on a dirt road…
I pulled into the grass across the
street from my house-or what should have been my house. There was
nothing left, no walls, no roof, it was all gone. Everything was
gone. I jumped out of my car, the engine still running, and ran to
the nearest cop..’What happened?!’ I begged him. ‘Son, stay back-we
don’t know what we’ve got here, just received reports about an
explosion in the area,” he said. ‘Exppppp..losion? What about my
mom?’ I cried out. At that moment, a fireman walked up to the cop I
had just talked to, I couldn’t hear what he said, but I could read
from his face-that my mom was gone, she was gone too. The last words
I said to here was “leave me alone” and now that’s what I am,
alone. Hours passed before the police would leave, and the last
firetruck would head back into the city. I didn’t know what to do, I
just sat down next to what was my house, amongst the rubble and the
debris, I bowed my head, and cried.
All I had left from that time in my
life, was this photo, a gift from a reporter that covered the
explosion for the local paper. I would never be able to run back into
the arms of my mom, but I could run into the arms of a loving God,
who never left my side even in those dark moments. I can almost
imagine him, sitting with me in the pile of rubble-saying ‘it’s going
to be okay, I’ll see you through.’”
I ended my story, and wiped the tears
from my eyes. I held my precious little granddaughter even
closer.“Remember sweetheart, your words are powerful, never ever
forget that,” I told her, and tucked the picture into my shirt
pocket. I slid my granddaughter off my lap, and stood up, reaching
for her hand“come on now, it’s time for ice-cream.”
-Sarah Thomas
Rap battle starring Sarah Thomas and yours truly, Zachary Pinkston
So it all started when someone said that i looked like i wanted to kill someone in one of my photos, so i simply stated in the comments, in a rhymsical way: “killin souls for Christ, cause I’m a thug for life”
All of a sudden, Sarah Thomas breaks out with her own lyrics, and the battle is on. It’s funny, we weren’t really battling, just explaining the same thing back and forth through through rap. so here it is:
Sarah- “Hangin with my crew, wouldn’t wanna be you, ya gonna end up dead, told you once where sin lead, get down on your knees, so you can drift into eternity with ease.”
Zach- “nice i really like your rhyme, about sins crime, stealin souls and not lettin them shine, but take a look at the straight line, when you intertwine, your heart and Christ, you will reach the finish line, no matter if the devil you’ve enticed, you and His word combine, with the Holy sword the temptor you have sliced.”
Sarah- “The spirt’s a two edged sword, words comin straight from the Lord. Walkin this line, you’ll find it divine-come with me bro-you’ll find things you’d never know, angels bow before our God, and demons quiver at his name-compared to Him, you ain’t got game!”
Zach- “you say i aint got game but ill put you to shame, you wanna point fingers but you’re the one to blame, and i agree with you, He beats me on fame. and jeeze, i didnt know you could rap, you’re quite a bit better than most crap, your words are truth, not just a mind trap.”
Sarah- “I might be a lady, but I ain’t dainty-I got more words than an architect has plans-I just toss them out to see where they land. I’ll be pointing at you, just like you be pointing at me-keepin on another on track-makin sure your faith don’t lack.”
Zach- “i wasnt even done, so dont get up and run, im just playin, just doin it for fun, i like how you spit out words, like a machine gun, and your rhymes hold value that weighs a ton. ill lay out my flow, and let the words glow, like a tree every christian needs to grow, its not always fast and it might be slow, keep Christ your foundation and you’ll become a chateau. If you wanna find a lie, go to Joseph Smith, he created a religion, not truth just a myth, But the Holy Spirit, fills Christians with, a deadly force they can use, like Darth Vader and the Sith.”
Sarah- “You might stand on solid ground, holding on to peace when all around you chaos sounds, surrounded by them growing trees you speak bout, every tree has bugs and worms that need out. Confessin sins and churchin ain’t gonna hurt ya- brothrer I tell ya this life aint worth livin alone-it ain’t worth living without the Truth to light the path-walking the straight and narrow instead of cleanin up the aftermath.”
Zach- “As a matter of fact, Christ has made an impact, instead of aftermath, im casting brass, fill it with gunpowder cause ill be standin last, no need for clean up, that life is past, the thought might creep into my mind, but im holding fast, …God’s story is wonderful, star filled cast, like tom hanks on an island, in dire need of a mast, and with a sinking boat, dont let your faith be glass, God calls us to higher like the top social class.”
Sarah- “you speak like you met God in his own space, from your old life you did an about face. You think you got the Truth-now here’s the mission, take that word to the world, get it out fast, fan that holy fire, make it last”
Zach- “ill make it last, like a jolly rancher, maybe even longer, ill talk to my financer, may mean no presents from me, sorry rudoplph and prancer, God’s words are infectious, like the moves of a belly dancer, ill let it spread, like a viral cancer, and when i say make it last, im talkin bout the Second Chancer.”
Sarah- “You sayin I’m off your Christmas list? Don’t you drop your fist-yo you gotta finish the fight and run the good race-it ain’t about saving face-its about savin souls-don’t let no one call you fool-you got the key to the next life-just open the door and view the kingdom-come on lets go, its goin be fun.”
Zach- “when thinkin bout heaven, its the world we’re severin, cut off the ties, God is Holy, can’t let sin in. but im still on the earth, fighting and endeavoring, when it scomes to self worth, i think of only one thing, Christ gave me rebirth, now im rockin Holy bling, 1991 born in fort worth, 2011 and im bowing to the King.”
Sarah- “I got 25 years on this earth, what I hold in my hand ain’t got no worth-it’s not about the cash, not about the bling, not about the diamond rings, don’t tell me about your benz, your mercedes, or your ladies-don’t tell me bout them clubs you hide in, or them drugs you confide in-You ain’t got nothin til you got nothin-give it all to the Savior, he’s got more than 52 flava’s”
Zach- “Flava flav raps about drugs, 50 cent raps about thugs, but zpink raps about the one, who turned water to wine in those wedding jugs. He called out the preachers, and all the synagogue teachers, and the woman heeled by touching his cloak, id call her a Jesus reacher.”
Sarah- “Preacher you better preach-the world has ears to hear and eyes to see, but I tell you this, when it comes down to prayin for the lost, it’s just you and me. You see the pain, see the hurt, this ain’t time for a band-aid, it’s time for the dead to come to life, close up them wounds, seal the broken hearts, LIberty teaches more than just liberal arts..”
Zach- “speaking of liberty i mean sincerity, the things im learning really gives clarity, they do it so soft, no need for vulgarity, everyone is loving and gives all their time to charity.”
fin 
Ten million people-Only a few!
So what do I do,
when I haven’t got a clue?
And ten million people stand-
By my side and act true.
but when my hope sways
And my world is in a coup,
I look around, and whats left?
Only a few!
That hold my hand,
and point my head back to You.
-ZP
Hippo-crit? No, Hypocrite!
3. Study of Romans
So today, I’m in Romans two.
Romans 2:1-4 (NLT), “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?“
Paul is talking about hypocrisy and judgment. Just for my own information, I looked up the definition of hypocrite and according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a hypocrite is 1 “a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion”, or 2 “a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings”. I really like these two definitions, especially the second one. A peach tree is a hypocrite for growing tall and producing lemons, just as a Christian is a hypocrite for living life and not loving others. It upsets me that we find today, one of the biggest problems with modern Christians-they don’t act like Christians. We bear the name “little Christ” but we, many times I, fail to uphold the standard at which we are called to live. Paul has this in his letter to the Romans for a reason; he knew that this very issue we are dealing with today, was also going to be dealt with by the Christians back in the 1st century. Judgment goes along with hypocrisy. I will make this statement, that whoever has no sin in their life should be the judge of those who do have sin in their life. Fortunately, only one man ever lived without sin, and that’s Jesus, and that is why Jesus is the judge. Don’t judge people! By judging someone, we discourage them in efforts they may have already been taking to make a change. By judging, we become proud. When we judge others, we are heightening our title, and we are no longer a human in need of God’s grace, we have tried to make ourselves better than that. Paul tells us “you may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad…“ God is the ultimate judge, and in everyone there is fault. Look back in Romans 1 at all the sin in verses 29-32. A judge says that he is in need of no master, and Romans 1:21 says that the way sin is produced starts with a person saying that they do not need to worship God. Leave the judging to the sinless, because human judging only leads to falling and being judged.
-ZP
