But...I didn't know...(Romans 2:12-16)

"12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel."

My children at the YMCA tell me that all the time: "I didn't know." And I tell them that it does not matter if they knew the rules or not. The fact remains that they have still broken the rules. Likewise, we have broken God's rules. Here Paul continues writing about God's righteous judgment, how all of mankind is guilty of sin and deserves eternal death. We are all going to be held accountable to God and his law because:

1. Every person has sinned (v.12)
a. Those who sinned unknowingly
b. Those who sinned knowingly

2. Every person knows he has sinned (v.13-15)
a. Just hearing religion won't excuse you (v.13)
b. Just knowing religion won't excuse you (v.14-15)

3. Every person will be judged for his sin (v.16)

What a depressing and dire state we find ourselves in! We can't hide from God's law. We either knowingly break it or unknowingly break it, but the fact remains, we have broken it. When I go 50 mph in a 35 mph zone but do not see the sign and am consequently pulled over for speeding my excuse of "Sorry, officer, I didn't see the sign" will not work. The officer will not care. I still broke the law and the just payment is due.

We have broken God's law and deserve the just payment. Thankfully, God has sent his Son Jesus to pay our debt so that we will not spend eternity in the prison cell of Hell.

Whether Jew or Gentile, all persons are going to be held accountable for disobeying God's law - his commandments and standards, which are indeed a reflection on who he is - his very character.