Don’t Mistake Mercy for Approval: The Silent Warning of God’s Patience
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. ~ Romans 2:5
We live in a time when calling out sin is controversial, but excusing it is praised. People judge others with fingers pointed, while secretly doing the same things behind closed doors. Romans 2 doesn’t let anyone off the hook. It begins with a startling rebuke: “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” The message is clear, God isn’t impressed by religious jargon, moral talk, or anything else we might want to use as an excuse. He knows your heart. He sees through the masks we all put on every day. He knows what’s going on behind closed doors. He calls hypocrisy what it is.
This is not just a warning to obvious sinners. It’s aimed at those who think they’re safe because they know right from wrong, yet still walk in rebellion. God’s judgment is not based on appearances or affiliations. It’s based on truth. And verse 3 hits hard: “Do you suppose… that you will escape the judgment of God?” The answer is no. No one will. Not the moral person. Not the religious hypocrite. Not the one who grew up in church. If you continue in sin, while pretending to be righteous, you are storing up wrath for yourself, wrath that will be poured out when God’s righteous judgment is finally given.
But then you see the startling and beautiful truth. The kindness of God, His patience, His forbearance… it’s not a blank check, ladies and gentlemen. It’s not permission to continue in sin. It’s not an excuse to keep living a life of rebellion. It’s not a reason to mock or blaspheme God. No, God’s kindness toward you is something else entirely. It’s a window. A chance. An opportunity to repent. “Do you presume on the riches of His kindness… not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). Every breath you take is a gift from God, a new opportunity to repent. Every day that you wake up is another chance to turn from sin and get right with God. But one day that window is going to close, and it’s going to close for everyone.
When that day of judgment comes, no excuses will matter. Verse 6 makes it personal: “He will render to each one according to his works.” Eternal life for those who, by faith, live in obedience and seek the things of God. Wrath and fury for those who reject truth and chase their own desires. And it doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or what kind of religious pedigree you have. “For God shows no partiality” (Romans 2:11). He will judge everyone by the truth of who they are and what they do, not by the claims they make about themselves.
Do not test Him with your sin. Do not take advantage of His grace by indulging your sin. Do not confuse His patience with approval. That gentle tapping on the door of your heart is not a sign of weakness or change in God. It’s mercy. It’s a shot at redemption. But it’s not going to last forever. The Judge of all the earth is waiting at the door of your heart. He’s calling you right now, by the power of His Word. Repent. Surrender. Turn from your sin. Trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, for your salvation. The kindness you’re experiencing today is either going to lead you to that salvation, or it’s going to come back as a witness against you on that day of judgment.
Repent, while there is still time. Turn from your sin and run to the only One who can save you. He’s patient, but His patience is not infinite. The Judge is at the door. Remember there is a Danger of a Hard Heart and a Soft Gospel.
Read / Listen
1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17
Romans 2:1-24
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 19:8-9
New Testament: Romans 2:1-24
Summary:
God’s Righteous Judgment
God’s Judgment and the Law
Overview: Romans 1-4 Click Here to Watch Video
Dirty Hands
Gentiles, . . . although not having the law, are a law to themselves, . . . their conscience also bearing witness. — Romans 2:14-15
One of William Shakespeare’s most intriguing characters is Lady Macbeth. Having heard a prophecy that her husband would become king, she convinced him to assassinate the reigning monarch. When the bloody deed was done, Macbeth was conscience-stricken. His wife rebuked his squeamishness and helped him cover up the crime. Her husband was crowned king. But that wasn’t the end.
Lady Macbeth’s initial resolve turned to remorse. She grew mentally unstable, and couldn’t stop washing her hands. “Will these hands ne’er be clean?” she asked. Finally, the guilt drove Lady Macbeth to suicide.
Guilt is an emotion that can weigh us down whenever we cross a moral boundary. All of us are capable of feeling guilty when we violate the law of God written in our hearts (Romans 2:14-15). If we continue to sin willfully, however, we will dull our conscience.
Lady Macbeth is a good reminder of a biblical principle: Whatever we sow, we will certainly reap (Galatians 6:7-8). When we feel temptation, we need to listen to our conscience—not try to silence it. It’s far better to avoid committing an act we will later regret than to live with the consequences.
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