3. "Do you suppose, O man - you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself - that you will escape the judgment of God? 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? 5. but because of you hard and impenitent heart you are strong up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed." (Romans 2:3-5)
Note:
Romans chapter 1 reads much like a tabloid magazine, focusing on other people's sins. Chapter 2 is different. It is deeply personal and must be read with no one in mind other than yourself. The words "they," "them," and "their" which saturated chapter 1, are replaced by the words "you," "your," and "yourself" in chapter 2. Since Paul addressed all of chapter 2 to "you," you will notice that my devotions purposely use the words "you" and "your" and not the words "their" and "ours." God wants to talk directly to "you" about "your" sins and their dire consequences.
As we begin this journey through chapter 2, know that there is good news coming! By the end of chapter 2, "you" will be left with a feeling of hopelessness and doom. Paul did this intentionally so that "you" would truly appreciate God's glorious salvation at the end of chapter 3.
There are two truths that come from today's Scripture reading.
Truth 1: God is very rich:
God wants "you" to know that He is rich, very rich. Imagine a large room filled from floor to ceiling with the currency of heaven. God's bank account is massive. Today's picture shows "you" what God's money looks like. God's currency is different than ours in that it is labeled, "Kindness," "Forbearance (Tolerance)" and "Patience." God wants "you" to know that He is truly rich in kindness, rich in patience, and rich in tolerance towards "you." Aren't "you" thankful God is rich in these areas. Imagine what "your" life would look like if God were poor in kindness or poor in patience. "You" would be in serious trouble.
Truth 2: God will not always be Kind, Tolerant, and Patient:
If "you" read Romans 2:4 in the context of verses 3 and 5, one truth screams loudly. Sound the alarm... be warned... God will not always be kind, tolerant and patient. God's patience has a limit and it can be exhausted. There is coming a day when God will no longer be kind toward "you." Romans 2:5 says, "But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed." On Judgment Day, God's kindness, tolerance and patience will be spent. All that will be left for "you" is God's wrath.
There are two pictures that should come to the "your" mind as "you" read Romans 2:4-5. The first picture is of "your" generous God who graciously spends His fortune of kindness, tolerance, and patience on "you." The second picture is of "you" spoiling God's bank account, spending it down to nothing. There will come a day when "you" will be down to "your" last dollar. When that dollar is spent, it will be Judgment Day. "You" will have to explain to God why "you" squandered His enormous wealth without repenting.
Mark Your Bible:
- Next to Romans 2:4 write, "God is Rich."
Application:
Do not give up on this journey through Romans 2. We are studying sin and it gets ugly, very ugly. Good news is coming. You will not truly understand the good news unless you allow me to take you all the way through this study on sin. Allow God to reveal the truth about your sin in a very personal way so that He can help you understand His amazing grace and love that is poured out for you in chapter 3.
Prayer to pray:
Father, have mercy on me. I am a sinner. Have mercy, please! Open my eyes to see my sin for what it truly is. I beg you for forgiveness. Teach me Your ways so that I may walk in them.
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