Romans 2:4 Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? (NLT)
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (KJV)
Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? (NIV)
Repentance is a concept widely used in the realm of Christianity today. The motivation for repentance however has been wrongfully neglected. What is it that causes Gods children to abandon themselves and furiously follow Christ? Sermon after sermon rings through church sanctuaries issuing a plea of repentance. Yet tacked on this God given plea are many times the stigmas of fear, shame, or regret. Can what has been so rightly called the "Good News" truly be accepted by means of fear and shame? The intention is honorable but the method is what remains questionable. Have we come so far from grace that we can no longer see that the same God of justice and holiness still holds the attributes of goodness and kindness? What leads us to serve Christ and neglect self? I believe it is the knowledge of the kindness of God. To quote Michael Card: "We do not have to stop sinning for God to love us, God loves us so that we can stop sinning." To look into the face of a just and holy Judge and also see the face of your Savior is a sight that can transform the most vile of souls. Gods kindness should never be overlooked, however neither should it be trodden upon. Many use the mercy of God as an excuse for sin. When thinking of the price that Jesus paid for believers and still knowing that he shows kindness how can we presume to use that mercy for our own gain. Will God show mercy? Yes! However it is because he will show mercy that we should long all the more for his glory. Because he is kind we are led to turn from who we are and to embrace who he is. We are in desperate need to find the balance of his kindness. It must never be substituted by shallow emotions and it must never be taken for granted.
Chris Dunn
