PROMISE #172 - JUNE 21

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? ~Romans 2:4

I love this promise. Romans 2:4 essentially says that it is the goodness of God that leads people to repentance. We often think of repentance as a shame-based reaction to some kind of judgment in our lives. But it really means to go another way or to change our minds.

When Jesus said, "Repent for the kingdom is near" He was asking people to change direction and change their thinking, to know the truth, and the truth would set them free. For too long, the idea of repentance has had too much negative connotation.

When proclaiming the gospel, there may be a place for a message that turns us away from our sin. But there is also a time when we just declare the goodness and love of God, and people respond by going in a new direction… towards their loving Father through Christ. I think it is the love of God that brings true repentance to people. John 4:19 states, "We love Him, because He first loved us."

God loved us while we were His enemy (Romans 5:6-10). It is the love of the Father that will melt the hearts of men and women and draw each one into His bosom through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is our Father's goodness that will cause us to change our minds and to take a new way.

When I look at this promise in this way, my view of evangelism is altered. The greatest change in a person’s heart is created by the goodness of our Heavenly Father.

Prayer:

Father, thanks for Your goodness that pulls me gently into a place where my thoughts are aligned with the mind of Christ. Help me to be an expression of Your goodness to all I meet so they too may experience a change of heart and mind toward You and see You as the loving Father that You are.

I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.