Romans 2:14-15 (NIV)
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,
15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)

A perceived problem in our Theology is God has no right to judge anyone who does not have the law of God. How can a person in some jungle be called a liar by God or us, if they do not have the law of God to tell them that is wrong? This was a perceived problem in Paul's day and he handles it by appealing to the law written on human beings hearts. All research reveals that in all cultures there is civil structure set up by any given people that is to govern them in their behavior. The structure that is in place will be used to judge those people. In Romans one you may recall that God will use the order of the universe to judge people for not seeking Him out. People know there is a God, they do not want to come clean.



Romans 2:17-29 (NIV)
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God;
18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--
21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
24 As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.
26 If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.
29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

There is no doubt that Paul is addressing the Jews in these verses. Paul brings his case against the Jews down to very practical terms. If you know that it is wrong to lie then do you still lie? The Jews do have an advantage in knowing God, however if they do not exercise their faith by living as they should then it will become a disadvantage. The Jews did not want an inspection of their lifestyle but an inspection of their genitals. The outward adornment is always easier than that of the heart. If your heart is right with God then the lifestyle will follow. The danger of having the Scriptures and knowing them is the demands of God go up for those with that kind of information. Here is what one writer has said, "God's grace is against earning, but not against effort." It is God's grace that has placed us in a country with so many resources to help us to know Him and obey Him. We must lean into God's Spirit and His grace to help us live out our faith.