SCRIPTURE
Romans 2:4
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
COMMENT
God is love. I hear a lot of people say that, and I wholeheartedly agree. But love is not the only quality that God possesses. He is also holy, just, omnipotent, and omnipresent to name a few others. All of these qualities are in the God that we should be worshiping. So the same God that loves us, also requires our holiness.
When God is patient with us, why would that be? Many view that from our perspective, saying that because God loves us, He only wants the best for us. Again, I agree. But what is best for us? Is it a pain free life? Is it health and wealth? I don't think so. I think it is holiness, because without holiness no one will see God. When God is patient with us, according to this verse, it is to lead us to repentance, and repentance is hard! True repentance is to turn from a self-centered life to a life this is focused on God. It is a life that replaces its own goals with goals that focus on pleasing God. Not because God needs this, but because we do. God is almighty, and our sin, while breaking His heart, does not ruin His eternity. It breaks His heart because of what it does to us. If I die in my sins, God is still God. The creator of a vast universe, including a multitude of stars, planets, galaxies and more is not going to be belittled by a fleeting speck of dust not honoring Him.
Repentance. Not just turning away from sin, but turning to God. That is where God's kindness should lead us.
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