The Goodness of God Leadeth Thee to Repentance

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (Romans 2:3-6)

Why would anyone condemn another while doing the same rotten things they are? I really believe it is to excuse our sin, and also to raise ourselves above other people. When we make rules to follow (even good ones), we do it to lift ourselves above others, and we do it to justify ourselves. However, in this very thing do we condemn ourselves.

God’s Goodness

Starting in Romans 2:4, we see that God gives us time to change. He puts up with our awfulness in the possibility that we might seek Him. In His kindness and love for us, He patiently holds off judgment on us. Recognizing God’s patience should humble us and change us.

We see three traits that characterize God: goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering. His goodness contrasts with our wickedness. His forbearance is His restraining of judgment that we as people might turn to Him. His longsuffering is His loving patience, giving us repeated chances to turn to Him.

Our Hardness

However, this is not the case. We continue to harden against God, and the wrath of God against our account continues to grow. “Hardness” is another word for stubbornness, and “impenitent” is the exact opposite of repentance. His wrath against such sinners is justified; He is righteous, and the unrighteous cannot even come into His presence. A day of wrath is coming, and He will “render to every man according to his deeds.” The “the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” is the righteous, well-deserved punishment that awaits on the day of His judgment.

We must get the bad news before we get to the good news: Jesus Christ.