Bible Truth #307 - Romans 2:3-4

Romans 2:3-4

3  So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?

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?

Written to believers in Rome, Paul’s letter reminds us again of Who is working in our lives every day.

It was God who first moved in our salvation as He is the author of our faith, not us (Hebrews 12:2). It was God who worked in us to make us believers (John 6:29) as He granted us belief (Philippians 1:29). And here He tells us that along with everything else He gives us as a gift, so is repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance, not our “free will” as some believe. Lest some think that God is kind toward all and it is our choice whether to accept it or not, God is NOT a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) in that He looks upon our heart to see if we’re repentant first. We can’t be repentant until He grants us repentance - His granting it occurs before our doing it.

Regarding the idea that God is kind toward all - yes, He is kind toward those He has not chosen only in that He does not cast them into Hell the instant they commit their first sin, not to mention the fact that we are all born sinners in need of redemption. He is long-suffering toward those He has prepared for destruction (Romans 9:22). Why is He long-suffering? It certainly is NOT to give them a chance or an opportunity to repent. But to show us, His Elect, the riches of His glory! (Romans 9:23)

The bottom line is that His kindness leads us to repentance, not our so-called free will. His kindness is what granted us repentance. Without God first granting it, we would have NEVER repented. (2 Timothy 2:25)