Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed!
Romans 2:4-5 NET
In context, this passage addressed Jews who saw themselves as God’s “chosen people” and who judged Gentiles as sinners and unworthy of God. And in doing so, they showed contempt for God’s kindness, patience, and forbearance. They scoffed at the thought of God caring about Gentile sinners.
But they were also subject to God’s judgment, and God, in his kindness, was leading them to repentance. Unfortunately, many of them refused to respond to God’s kindness and, in their stubbornness, were storing up wrath for the day of judgment.
But what Paul had to say to the Jews is not limited just to them. God, in his kindness and patience, works within each person, leading us to repentance. He wants everyone to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).
But many show contempt for God’s kindness and forbearance by refusing to repent and believe. And, because of their stubborn and unrepentant hearts, they are storing up wrath for the day of wrath.
If you have not yet responded in repentance to God’s kindness and patience, I urge you to do so before it is too late. And if there are those you view as unworthy of God’s love, I urge you not to show contempt for the wealth of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience by judging them as unworthy. Instead, be willing to share God’s love with them.
