By What Standard

All men stand condemned before a holy God, and there is but one way to the Father, that way, that truth, that path to life is faith in Christ alone, for the just shall live by faith. Having set the theological foundation for the necessity of Christ's atonement, and path that leads to life, the question presented to all men is why do we live, practice, judge by any other standard than the one which God has revealed. For it is now made abundantly clear, that it is in no way enough that we merely avoid what certain heathens do, as though God grades based on a curve. For Paul transitions from those who seek freedom from judgment by hiding, to those who seek freedom from judgment by works of the law. Neither is it sufficient, for all men, apart from Christ stand condemned.

Judge all you like, but it does not matter that you are better than the man next to you, for all have sinned and fallen short. You cannot deal with the real problem of unrighteousness through the vain effort of self-righteousness. The judgments made in Romans 2 express not the righteous judgment of God and a hope to genuine repentance, but Satanic accusation whose aim is not restoration, but more of the same rejection of Christ the only Redeemer. Self-righteousness is no bulwark to stand behind in the judgment.