“Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent” (Romans 2:4 GNB).
Romans 2:4 is a verse that requires a thoughtful approach that accounts for several factors that influence the way we interpret this verse. For instance, it’s important to acknowledge that “repentance” may present itself in forms that are authentic or inauthentic. The New Testament book of 2 Corinthians illustrates that difference…
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
While it’s not unusual to hear others voice their sorrow over an inappropriate action or behavior, it may help to clarify the source of their distress. For instance, consider the difference in the following statements:
- “I’m sorry; I did something wrong.”
- “I’m sorry; I got caught doing something wrong.”
You see, a person who apologizes for doing something wrong may not actually regret his or her behavior. In fact, he or she might even repeat that same behavior if given the opportunity. Instead, that person may simply regret the consequences of getting caught. We can associate that response with “the sorrow of the world” mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:10.
That type of sorrow fails to lead us to authentic repentance because it simply flows from the negative consequences of a behavior. On the other hand, “godly sorrow” produces a God-honoring response that reflects a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior.
When God demonstrates “kindness, tolerance, and patience” towards those who engage in various forms of immoral conduct, those individuals may feel as if they have successfully evaded the repercussions of their behavior. In fact, the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes spotlights that very attitude when it says, “Because God does not punish sinners instantly, people feel it is safe to do wrong” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 TLB). However, God may be expressing His kindness in providing an opportunity to repent according to our text from Romans 2:4.
In addition, we should also recognize that every genuine Christian is a “work in progress” to a greater or lesser extent. Because God is patient, merciful, and benevolent, He may graciously permit us to overcome our sinful inclinations quietly, without the discomfort of public disclosure. But those who decline that opportunity should pay careful attention to the message given to us in Numbers 32:23: “…take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.”