3 Things That Won’t Save You (Romans 2:12-29)
What do you cling to when guilt weighs heavy? In Romans 1:16-17, Paul declares the gospel is God’s power to save all who believe—Jew and Gentile. Yet, he warns that God’s wrath awaits all who sin, from liars to gossips, because His justice is impartial. No excuse, no status, no ritual will shield us. Today, we’ll explore three things in Romans 2 that won’t save us from judgment—and the one hope that will. What’s your heart trusting in today?
Our first text reveals the main idea of our study.
Romans 2:11–13 (ESV) — 11 For God shows no partiality. 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Paul’s point is clear: if you sin without the law, you perish without it. If you sin with the law, you’re judged by it. God doesn’t play favorites. Every person who does evil faces judgment for their actions. God’s justice demands accountability, and no one escapes His gaze.
Paul explains this further, showing how what we think will save us won’t stand on judgment day.
Ignorance
First, ignorance won’t save us. Some claim, “I didn’t know it was wrong.”
Romans 2:14–16 (ESV) — 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Children often say, “I didn’t know,” when they steal or hit someone. Yet, when the same is done to them, they quickly call it wrong. Adults try this too. I once said, “I didn’t know it was a 45 mph zone,” but it didn’t erase my speeding ticket. Careless driving won’t undo a wreck that kills someone. Ignorance doesn’t excuse us. Many think they can avoid punishment by claiming, “I didn’t mean to” or “I didn’t know the law.” But Paul says Gentiles, without God’s written law, have a law within—their conscience.
Your conscience is that inner voice, a God-given sense of right and wrong. It’s preloaded on your heart, guiding you to pursue righteousness. But when we ignore its warnings, chasing selfish desires, it can become seared, like a “heart of stone.” Over time, our conscience accuses us of guilt or, if hardened, tries to excuse us. Either way, it proves we know better. Ignorance won’t save us. Instead, we must heed God’s truth and submit to it.
I believe a lot of people in our society are relying heavily on this idea of innocence by ignorance, despite living in the information age. We have as much access to information as anyone has ever had in the history of time. The scriptures are a few clicks away. Clear explanations are a few clicks away. But when we arrive at the final judgment, some will try to stand before God and proclaim, "I didn't know I was doing anything wrong." They will be just as guilty and condemned as the rest of us. Their conscience will accuse them or try to excuse them, but no excuse will be accepted (2:1). They will be judged based on what they have done.
Knowledge
Second, knowledge won’t save us. Let’s revisit Paul’s words in verse 13.
Romans 2:13 (ESV) — 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Paul tells Jews that knowing the law doesn’t save them—only doing it brings righteousness.
Romans 2:17–24 (ESV) — 17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
This is an indictment of the studious. They know Scripture, God’s will, and what’s right, yet fail to live it. They teach others while ignoring their own sin. They condemn stealing but cheat, preach against adultery but lust and break their marriage covenant, or rail against worldliness while chasing status. Both the ignorant and the knowledgeable sin, deserving judgment.
Some boast in their knowledge, feeling superior for spotting others’ faults. I’ve been there, looking down on those who knew less. But true understanding brings humility. When I realized I was guilty of sins I’d condemned, I wanted to stop teaching, fearing stricter judgment (James 3:1). But if every teacher quit upon seeing their sin, only the proud would preach, causing harm. So, I chose vulnerability, preaching from my own brokenness.
I believe a lot of people in our society will try to rely on their knowledge of scriptures. Church members can sometimes quote Scripture perfectly but act dishonestly, commit fraud, or judge others’ sins while hiding their own. This hypocrisy makes God’s name a mockery, driving people away from salvation. Paul tells us that this knowledge alone, without action, won’t save us. God seeks those who repent and live out His truth, not just study it.
Sacrifice
Finally, partial submission won’t save us.
Romans 2:25–29 (ESV) — 25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Jews valued circumcision as a guarantee of God’s favor. Paul agrees it has value—if you obey the whole law. But break the law, and circumcision means nothing; you’re as uncircumcised as a Gentile. Meanwhile, a Gentile who follows God’s moral law shames the disobedient Jew. Paul echoes Deuteronomy 10:16, saying God desires a circumcised heart—one cleansed of sinful desires.
Some think baptism or church attendance ensures salvation, like a checklist. These are important aspects of obedience, but God looks deeper, judging “the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Rom 2:16). We can be fooled by religious acts, but God is not. He wants a heart that rejects sin, not just avoids it because “God said so.” Partial submission looks good. But outward acts without inward change won’t save us. God demands total devotion, a life transformed from within.
Conclusion
This truth hits hard: ignorance, knowledge, and partial submission won’t save us from God’s impartial judgment. We all fall short—our consciences accuse us, our actions betray our knowledge, and our hearts resist full obedience. But here’s the hope: God doesn’t leave us in guilt. Paul points us to Jesus, who judges the secrets of our hearts (Rom 2:16) yet offers mercy. Through faith in Him, the Spirit circumcises our hearts (Rom 2:29), transforming us to live for God’s glory. The gospel that saves (Rom 1:16) is Christ’s righteousness, covering our failures. Will you trust Jesus today and submit your heart to Him?