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?

This is a very accurate description of what a lot of people in “Christian” nations like the US are doing. This keeps coming out in passage after passage, but people seem effectively to have forgotten the holiness of God. They might as well be worshiping Santa Claus! When churches focus exclusively on God’s love, mercy, and grace, we tend to forget why those are necessary. As this verse says so clearly, those attributes are to lead us to repentance, because otherwise we will be destroyed by our own sin. This is happening in the US at an increasing rate. I find myself with a growing understanding of and appreciation for Jesus’ message: “The kingdom of heaven is near; repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15) Without repentance, we deny either that God is holy or that we are sinners, or both. I read recently that sin is anything that is not in agreement with God’s character. I like that description a lot! God’s desire and intent is that we let go of everything that fits that description so that we may be transformed into the likeness of His Son. (Romans 8:29) Put that way, repentance seems quite attractive!

I certainly have a history of taking God’s grace and mercy for granted, which should give me great empathy for those around me in the same situation. I am not to be judgmental but I am to call them to repentance, just as God called me. I cannot “convict of sin, righteousness and judgment,” but the Holy Spirit can use me to that end. (John 16:8-11) The more I love people, the more I will risk their not liking me, for the sake of bringing them to repentance and faith. I now realize how self-centered most of my “love” is. I seek to interact with people for the sake of their relationship with me, rather than for what is best for them. That’s what Jesus was talking about when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) “Laying down your life” includes risking those people disliking you or even hating you. I am not to offend needlessly, but I must not draw back from speaking God’s truth in love out of a fear that someone might get upset.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This isn’t the first time You’ve pointed this out to me! Help me be faithful in my every interaction to make full use of the opportunities You provide to communicate Your Gospel. May I not be judgmental, but may I call people to repentance, so that they may escape the traps of the devil and walk in Your light, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!