Romans 2:4 (NKJV)

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

The ultimate message of God to sinners is repentance, and this is for the sole purpose of restoration. It is not God’s will to send men to hell. God’s desire and His continual agenda for Mankind, is for us to be reconciled to Him, and to live in the fulness of His blessings for us.  As NLT puts it, God is “wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient” because His “kindness is intended to turn you from your sins.”

This is how we need to understand the way God treats us. He is never quick to punish us or judge us, and whenever He does show us His displeasure, it is after He has been kind, tolerant and patient over a long period of time. We need to be quick to repent when God shows us a weakness in our lives. Whenever and wherever we have failed God, we should not despise His “goodness, forbearance and long suffering” by continuing in sin; rather, let’s practice the discipline of quick repentance, knowing that this is what is pleasing to God and right for us to do.

“Thank You Lord for Your great patience with me. I have stumbled so many times and I still stumble, but You have been so gracious with me. I commit never to intentionally continue in sin and disobedience, even by Your grace. In Jesus name. Amen.”