Today, Friday January 8 - Romans 2:5-16 – In Chapter 1, Paul addresses the heathen, his ways and the consequences of his actions and life. In Chapter 2, Paul deals with the hypocrite, his ways and how God will judge him. A hypocrite is one who says he believes one thing but does not really practice or live out what he says he believes. In some ways, we are all hypocrites because none of us really, totally, live out what we claim to believe. Paul describes three ways that God will judge the hypocrite. God will judge him or her according to truth. (Verse 2) God will judge the hypocrites according to their deeds. (Verse 6) And God will judge the hypocrites and the secrets of their hearts according to the Gospel. (Verse 16) It is very clear in this passage that there are only two paths in life and we are on one or the other. One path, the way of God’s righteousness, leads to eternal life. Romans 2:7 “To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life...” The other path, the way of ignoring and disobeying God’s righteousness, leads to punishment. Romans 2:8-9 “But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek…” And then Paul states that God does not have favorites based on your heritage, your culture, your race, your education or your status in life before others. Romans 2:11 “For God shows no partiality.” Jesus said: Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Today, which path are you on?