Originally posted: 3/28/2020

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

The English definition of repentance is “sincere regret or remorse.” Is that what Paul meant, that in God’s riches and kindness He leads us to be sincerely regretful or sorry?

While repentance can certainly include sorrow and remorse over one’s condition or circumstances, Biblical repentance entails more than a feeling or sentiment.

Repentance: “41.52 μετανοέω; μετάνοια, ας f: to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness—‘to repent, to change one’s way, repentance.” Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament

Biblical repentance is manifested in change. A change of thought and attitude, a change of direction in behavior, a change of understanding regarding the holiness of God and the wretchedness of the human condition born into sin.

And Repentance happens because of Him. Out of His abundant riches He extends His Kindness, Leading those who receive His gracious gift to Repentance.

From Louw- Nida Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament:

Kindness: “ 88.67 χρηστεύομαι; χρηστότης^b, ητος f: to provide something beneficial for someone as an act of kindness—‘to act kindly, to be kind, kindness.’

Riches: “57.30 πλοῦτος^a, ου m and n: an abundance of possessions exceeding the norm… ‘wealth, riches, abundance.’…”

 Consider His Kindness that Leads to Repentance

• His Kindness that Leads to Repentance emanates out of His Riches, His exceeding wealth and abundance.
  • “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
  • I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly,” (John 10:9-10).
  • Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ… ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He lavished on us… (Ephesians 1:3, 7-8).
  • that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (Colossians 2:2-3).

• His Kindness that Leads to Repentance changes us.
  • Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? …¹¹ Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God, (1 Corinthians 6:9, 11).
  • I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me, (Galatians 2:20).
  • for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light, (Ephesians 5:8).

Biblical repentance is manifested in change. A change of thought and attitude, a change of direction in behavior, a change of understanding regarding the holiness of God and the wretchedness of the human condition born into sin.

• • His Kindness Leads to Repentance, changing our thinking about His judgment; there is no partiality with God.
    • Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things… ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God, (2:1, 11).
  • His Kindness Leads to Repentance, changing our attitude towards our obedience; our secrets cannot be hidden from God.
    • For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; ¹³ for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified… ¹⁶ on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus, (2:12-13, 16).
  • His Kindness Leads to Repentance, changing our understanding of His barometer of approval; our hearts are always His primary concern.
    • But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God, (2:29).
  • His Kindness Leads to Repentance, changing our behavior; our purpose in life is redirected in order to bring Him glory.
    • “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 5:16).
    • Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, (1 Corinthians 10:31).

How do we respond to His Kindness that Leads to Repentance?

Self-examination time. Today let us come before Him, asking Him to reveal areas in our own lives so in need of His Kindness.

• Has His Kindness Led us to Repentance to change our thinking towards judgment, convinced there is no partiality with God?
  • Do not judge so that you will not be judged. ² For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye,” (Matthew 7:1-5).
• Are we daily spending time in His Word, seeking His Kindness that Leads us to Repentance to change our attitude towards obedience, knowing our secrets cannot be hidden from Him?
  • For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do, (Hebrews 4:12-13).
• Are we daily asking Him to search us and grant us His Kindness that Leads to Repentance to change our understanding of His barometer of approval; is a pure heart our primary concern?
  • Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
    ²⁴ And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
    And lead me in the everlasting way, (Psalm 139:23-24).
• Are we trusting in His Kindness that Leads to Repentance to change our behavior so that our sole purpose in life is daily redirected to bring Him glory?
  • And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect, (Romans 12:2)
  • Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? ²⁰ For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

As we commit to follow Him in humility and obedience, let us join with Paul in praying for the body of Christ, that He would be glorified in us and in His church who have been so graciously changed by His Kindness that Leads to Repentance.

To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Thessalonians 1:11-12).

Let’s Grow Together!