Spoken at SGBC

5-4-97

Romans #10

Romans 2:4

A Quiet Call to Repentance

(Romans 2:1-4 NASB) Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. {2} And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. {3} And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? {4} Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

The bible reveals that God's judgement of men will be impartial. Every person ever born will be judged by one standard of Law irrespective of race, social position or religion. All who remain outside of faith in Christ will meet Him as judge and not as Savior. This is the point Paul makes in Romans chapter two.

In chapter one he described the vile and filthy. He spoke to us about obvious sinners in this world. Together we shook our heads, disgusted with the graphic descriptions of sin. Together we said amen when in verse thirty one Paul spoke of their deserving death.

Now in chapter two the Apostle intends to show that all men, not just the REALLY VILE AND OBVIOUSLY SINFUL, stand on level ground before God. All have sinned the same sins and broken the same law. All deserve eternal death which is separation from God in Hell forever. In verse two of the second chapter the Apostle says "We know" that judgement is on its way. We know that this judgement will be right or in accord with the law of God. We know that it will be an impartial judgement. We know that none will escape this coming day of Divine wrath. All of this, Paul declares is known by men. It may not be known in all its particulars but men know they will one day give account to the God who made them. They know and yet they choose to fool themselves, to suppress this truth and live a lie. One way men forget about the coming judgement is to misinterpret God's kindness, forbearance and patience with them. This is the subject of today's lesson. Look with me at verse four.

(Romans 2:4 NASB) Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

The two words "think lightly" come from one Greek work meaning to think little of something, to despise or be disrespectful toward a person. In this case the sinner thinks so lightly or wrongly about the kindness, forbearance and patience of God he comes to the wrong conclusion.

The kindness, forbearance and patience of God is meant to lead the sinner to repentance. However, under the influence of a depraved heart and mind men misinterpret God's mercy toward them. They conclude that if there is a God He must not be upset with them since He does nothing about their behavior. They see that their children continue to be born and grow to adulthood. The rain continues to fall. Their crops continue to grow. . Their bodies continue to heal themselves. All is well with them, therefore, God must be happy with them as they are.

This argument was used by the Jews when they wanted to justify themselves. Jesus often corrected this false way of calculating God's disposition toward sinful men. One such instance is found in Luke 13:1-5 NASB.

"Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. {2} And He answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? {3} "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. {4} "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? {5} "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

Here are two illustrations that help us with the understanding of our text. In both instances the Jews considered that God's kindness toward them meant He was happy with them. Likewise His obvious severity toward the Gentiles indicated God's displeasure with them. The Jews, therefore, looked down their noses at the Gentiles who were obviously experiencing the displeasure of God. Jesus refutes this false assumption. He says exactly what Paul is saying in our text for today. "Unless YOU repent YOU will ALL perish just as you have seen the Gentiles perish. " Why? "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

In Romans two and verse four the Apostle speaks of the "RICHES of God's kindness, forbearance and patience." The word "riches" precedes and has to do with all three words. Which means that God is not just barely kind, forbearing, and patient but lavishes these gifts upon all sinners. The goal of this Divine benevolence is the sinners repentance.

This Divine kindness toward all men is often referred to as Common Grace. This is the grace of God extended toward all humans even though they have sinned against Him by breaking His Holy Law. Such people deserve nothing but eternal death and torment for their crimes. All unbelievers not presently in Hell are experiencing the Common Grace of God.

The very fact that you are here this morning instead of in Hell is an act of God's kindness, forbearance, and patience toward you. It does not mean He is happy with you. Rather, it means you still have opportunity to repent.

Unbelievers across the face of the earth rise each morning in good health. They go to their jobs and return to a comfortable home in the evening. They drive a comfortable car and have plenty of food to eat. They often live to a good old age but do so without acknowledging or worshiping the true and living God. They die in their sins having suppressed the truth, the fact of the judgement to come. They enjoyed God's Common Grace, His kindness, forbearance, and patience but did not repent of their sin. They misinterpreted God's silence to mean He was happy with them. When all the time God's silence was a "Quite call to Repentance." God's judgement stands in line behind His kindness, forbearance, and patience.

Consider this word forbearance. It is a term that speaks of tolerance and patience. It has to do with putting up with someone. The word tells us that God is holding back something that is due. That which is due is judgement and eternal punishment. For the time being God forebears. He with holds His judgement and our punishment. It is as though He has lifted one hand full of judgement and the punishment due us while with the other hand He restrains the first. He forbears.

Closely related to forbearance is the word patience. This word describes God's slowness to anger. It describes His longsuffering toward His enemies. God could instantly vaporize all the unrepentant on earth and be guilty of no crime what ever. He would remain holy, righteous and just. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, the wages of sin is death. We must be thankful that God is longsuffering and patient with His creatures. Year after year He holds back His judgements. He refuses to pay sinners the wages they have earned. He does not thunder from heaven rather He quietly calls men to repentance with kindness, forbearance and patience.

Apart from grace however the sinner will not recognize God's kindness or his need for repentance. He convinces himself that God either doesn't exist or He doesn't care. There is no God some say. Others declare there is no hell or judgement to come. Still others deny the reality of eternal punishment. Most scoff at the second coming of our Lord to judge the living and the dead. We must at this point remember the words of 2 Peter 3:3-4 NASB. "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, {4} and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." This is the conclusion of a man with a depraved heart and mind.

That the Lord has not yet returned is said to prove that He will not return at all and that He is not concerned with sin. The Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes says such people have come to a deadly conclusion. Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 NASB. "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. {12} Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. {13} But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God." God's kindness, forbearance and patience looked at with unbelieving eyes leads the wicked to believe they can sin their fill with no consequence. This is what it means to think lightly or wrongly of the kindness of God.

The latter portion of our text reads like this. "not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"

The words "not knowing"do not refer to a lack of knowledge. Rather they denote a voluntary, wilful, intentional ignorance and continual ignoring of the truth. They describe a steady suppression of God's revelation to man. They speak of an intentional misinterpretation of the kindness, forbearance and patience of God. These people do not know in the sense that they do not choose to have relations with the truth! We have an example of this in the second chapter of Hosea. In that chapter the Lord God lists various calamities He is about to bring upon Israel for her unfaithfulness. Then in verse eight we find these words. (Hosea 2:8 NASB) "For she does not know (Acknowledge) that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine, and the oil, And lavished on her silver and gold, Which they used for Baal." It cannot be said that Israel did not know in the sense that they did not have this information. They understood the fact that all things come from God. What the verse says is that they refused to acknowledge this truth. They suppressed and put out of their minds the fact that God was the giver of all they had. Then they took His blessings and offered them to Idols. They refused to acknowledge the real God and chose to worship false gods. This is the same thing Paul describes in Romans Two verse four.

Man in his depravity convinces himself of a lie. That since God is presently kind, forbearing and patient all is well. He says to himself I can continue as I am with no consequences. But the text tells us that we must all come to a screeching halt and repent. God's silence amounts to a window of opportunity. By His silence He is quietly calling the lost to repentance.

In 2 Peter 3:9 the Apostle Peter is counseling and comforting Christians. He says, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, (He speaks of the promise Christ made to return a second time.) as some count slowness, but is PATIENT toward you, (The context demands that the "you" being addressed are the Elect of God.) not wishing for any (Of the lost Elect people of God.) to perish but for all to come to repentance." Here we see that the kindness of God toward the objects of His redeeming love overflows to all men in a Common Grace sense. The Lord's delay, as concerns the second coming, has to do with the Salvation of all those Christ came to save. He has no intention that any of His Lost Sheep perish and therefore provides time for and will accomplish their repentance. His patience toward these translates into postponed judgement for all men even those who will never believe. Again the delay in the coming of Christ to judge the living and the dead does not mean He is happy with men. He is exercising kindness, forbearance, and patience thereby calling sinners to repentance.

Consider also Isaiah 30:18 NASB. "Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you And therefore (That is why.) He WAITS ON HIGH TO HAVE COMPASSION ON YOU. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him."

Then in Hosea 5:15 NASB. I will go away and return to My place Until they ACKNOWLEDGE their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me." This is true of all the lost Sheep of God. They will all at some point in time be afflicted with the knowledge of their sin and cry out to Him for mercy and grace. Here is the kindness, forbearance and patience of God which leads men to repentance. Look with me also to Ezekiel 18:23 NASB. "Do I HAVE ANY PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF THE WICKED," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? . . . {31} "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? {32} "For I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF ANYONE WHO DIES," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, REPENT AND LIVE." God's tolerance of the wicked, His kindness toward them, His forbearance of them His patience with them is His "Quiet call to Repentance."

It is true that none but the Elect of God will repent and come to Him. But it is also true that none can know of their Election until they do repent and come to Him. It is also true that none, not one, will be saved unless they do repent and flee in faith to Jesus Christ. Thus the question, "Why will you die?" Why would any man choose to die in his sins when God is presently exercising patience with sinners and when Jesus declares that He will save all who come to Him by faith? Why will you die?

Repentance consists of a change of mind, purpose, goals, direction and includes sorrow for sin. But it also includes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. Repentance from sin that does not include faith in Jesus does not result in salvation. Repentance without faith in Christ is nothing more than the reformation of ones behavior. If you would be saved you must turn FROM SIN TO CHRIST and Him alone.

If you are not a Christian consider for a moment the kindness, forbearance, and patience of God toward you personally. Perhaps such a consideration will lead you to repentance. Look at yourself quite closely. Though you have sinned and do now sin in many ways God has blessed you daily. His mercies are yours in abundance. Consider that God's Sun rises on you every day. It warms your home and causes your crops to grow. At the end of the day He paints a beautiful Sunset that you enjoy but are not thankful for. You lie down for a good nights rest only to rise and spend your day in rebellion against the God who made you and owns you. What of the rain that falls by His command on Saint and Sinner alike? Think of your friends, your children, your clothes, your home. The message you hear or read today has come to you as a gift from the God who calls you to repentance and faith in His beloved Son. All these things are yours from the hand of God. These are the results of His kindness toward you, His forbearance of you and of His patience with you. What conviction and shame should fill the hearts of those who hear but refuse to bow in repentance and faith toward Christ.

In those who do continue in the way of sin we see the power and blinding effect of the fall. Each day the sinner rises blind to God's involvement in his life. Each day he sets out to sin his fill. To do so he must climb over veritable mountains of God's kindness to reach his sinful goals. He must scale great heights of God's forbearance. He must ford deep rivers of Divine patience in order to continue in the way of sin and unrepentance. One might almost say, "It is with great difficulty that the sinner makes his way to Hell." Yet millions are determined to do so.

Millions have concluded that God's refusal to annihilate them in the midst of their sin is His stamp of acceptance or approval. They believe they have been given a license to sin. In reality God's kindness, forbearance and patience is His "Quite Call to Repentance."

Let us conclude with a look at Luke 13:6-9 NASB. And He began telling this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, and did not find any. {7} "And he said to the vineyard-keeper, 'Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. (During these three years the man had practiced kindness, forbearance and patience toward this fruitless tree. Now, patient no more, he says . . ) Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?' {8} "And he answered and said to him, 'Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; {9} and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down."

Ladies and Gentlemen this man's patience with the fruitless Fig Tree is like God's kindness toward unrepentant sinners. God is patient with them showering them with kindness day after day. But one day, when the fruit of repentance and faith toward Jesus for salvation is not found, God's patience will end. He will cut down the sinner. He will remove him from the world of kindness and mercy and cast him into the lake of fire.

The final word this morning comes from Acts 17:30-31 NASB. "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should REPENT, (When one repents he turns from sin to believe in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and to follow Him according to the Scriptures. It would be wise for you to do so . . .) {31} because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness (The standard of righteousness by which we will be judged is the Bible.) through a Man (The Man Christ Jesus.) whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

Men act as though they have time to waste. We spend great amounts of time on things earthly and temporary. Then we sleep and expect that tomorrow we will have the same amount of time to spend on earthly things again. The truth of the matter is we have just enough time in this life to prepare for eternity. You have time right now to repent and trust in Christ for forgiveness and eternal life. So little time. Time that could end before you take your next breath. It is always time to repent and believe in Jesus.

Never conclude, Ladies and Gentlemen, that God's silence means your sin doesn't matter. Sin will be punished and that for eternity. God's present silence and His continuing blessing upon you is His "Quite call to Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for salvation."