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Thanks for devotion applied in this response, A-G.

(BTW, is Romans 2:16 describing when the accusing and excusing happens, or just when Jesus judges it? ;-)

I track with you. So, it seems here that the extremity of extended mercy applied for the excuse of the most ignorant heart would be understood by answering the questions of what a cloak is and what it will do for one, in God's intently loving eyes, eh? But while I don't know the language John 15:22 is written in, I see "cloak" simply translated "excuse" in NIV, NASB, Amp., which would make my prior statement circular. Hmm.

So, I'm left to read a simpler v22 in two contexts: the first being the context of all the other Scripture, and the second being the context of Jesus' conversation with his hearers. In the first context, I'll be informed the what is critical is our response to God's revelation. In the second context, I'll be informed that the sin Jesus most refers to here is choosing to hate Jesus (and His disciples along with Him) -- chosing to be offended by God, instead of taking to heart that He tells them they are sinners in need of mercy.

So when Jesus said, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin." I tend to think that, thoroughgoing Person that Jesus is, He is referring to the whole revelation that Jesus always has been to man. Afterall, He was The Word breathed by God, even before The Word got to Mary for flesh and "it is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding" (Job 32:8) whenever in history, a man's feet are on the earth (and until his feet become just a part of the earth).

So yeah, no mystery, it seems to me, when it comes to man; his willing response of accepting God's truth about Himself (and himself) is required, however Jesus is witnessed (which varies from person to person, though He does not).

PEOPLE, ACCEPT: THAT GOD IS GOD, AND YOU AREN'T; THAT HE IS GOOD, AND YOU AREN'T; THAT HE HAS CHOSEN A MATERIAL WAY TO RECOVER YOU, AND YOU ARE.

And all this will culminate, "on the day when, according to my good news, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus" (Romans 2:16) having already made God no secret to men.