Read more of Romans 2
Romans 2
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
13For
it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.
14Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law,
do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
15So they show
that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and
their thoughts either accusing or defending them 16on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
Take this part into consideration "
the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel." One of the many facets of Paul's message is that God will judge people by the law. What Paul is trying to tell people with Romans in a very long-winded way is to walk in the Spirit to stay in grace. Do not walk in the flesh to be under God's law.
I think that's your pessimistic view of what the Bible says. I certainly don't share in it, I love God and fear Him at the same time. I'm happy He's for me and not against me.