Don’t Mistake Mercy for Approval: The Silent Warning of God’s Patience

[bdavidc]

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.

 

[nedsk]

View attachment 66382

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.

The problem is so many "christians" seem to believe their continued sins are forgiven, its so sad.

 

[amigo de christo]

The problem is so many "christians" seem to believe their continued sins are forgiven, its so sad.

Marvel not when i type what i next type .
If a mouse is hidden in a cookie jar
DOES that make it a cookie . NOPE its still a mouse .
Many now follow another jesus . that one cannot save them
but it gives them the idea of salvation AND THEIR SINS TOO . and now its making the road to GOD
broader than ever . ITS NOT JESUS . and its not even his gospel many now preach either .

 

[amigo de christo]

The problem is so many "christians" seem to believe their continued sins are forgiven, its so sad.

many dont seem to realize
WHO we serve IS WHOSE we are .
JESUS didnt come so we could continue in sin and FEEL saved .
He came TO SAVE and to set us free FROM sin .

 

[ShineTheLight]

The problem is so many "christians" seem to believe their continued sins are forgiven, its so sad.

You try to tell them that they'll say that a legalist or hater you are.

 

[ShineTheLight]

many dont seem to realize
WHO we serve IS WHOSE we are .
JESUS didnt come so we could continue in sin and FEEL saved .
He came TO SAVE and to set us free FROM sin .

Jesus is the lamb and the lion. Many love the lamb but not the lion. You gotta acknowledge God as both.

 

[ShineTheLight]

View attachment 66382

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.

Here's another one.

Revelation 3:19-22
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

[Wrangler]

To paraphrase what I wrote in another thread, only a fool could believe an all knowing God would send his son to suffer and die horribly for lip service. "Ibull eve" is insufficient; a transformed life, starting with genuine and complete repentance is the ante.

Philippians 2:12, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" in examining if you have confessed your sins to God, which he will forgive, as opposed to pridefully denying what you refuse to acknowledge is wrong in His sight is a far cry from the petulant refrain "I said I was sorry ... what more do you want?" The short answer is Jesus gave all and expects our all in return - not merely lip service.

Today, the forgiveness of sin is deprioritized as a mere formality, like the car driver who jugs milk after winning AS IF its a genuine embrace of the product. How will you conduct yourself upon meeting your maker?

1. "I said I was sorry ... what more do you want?"
2. Humbly fear and tremble in his sight?

 

[David in NJ]

View attachment 66382

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.

i often pray to the LORD this for myself and children and friends and family from Romans = "The goodness and kindness of God leads a man to repentance"

 

[bdavidc]

But THIS is why we need to keep the full counsel of God together. Grace is not a license to continue living in sin. Our works do not pay or earn our salvation.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith…Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). But verse 10 says that we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”

We are saved by grace through faith, not by works. But the grace that saves a man does not allow him to live at ease while rebelling against God. Titus 2: 11-12 tells us that the grace of God “bringeth salvation, and teacheth us, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts…”

When someone uses grace as a crutch to continue living in sin, they are perverting grace into something the Bible never meant. Romans 2: 4 tells us that “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” God withholding judgement is not His approval of your sin. It is His mercy allowing the sinner time to repent before he does judge.

 

[Wrangler]

Grace is not a license to continue living in sin.

Indeed. There should be such profound gratitude and humility that one seeks to make not disappointing the unearned favor.

A human example. A parent of a small, beloved child takes a much needed shower. The child escapes the house and finds her way onto the busy street. Just as the parent gets out of the shower, his neighbor rings the bell with his beloved child safe and sound. What kind of ungrateful jerk would not defer to anything the neighbor requested after that?

How much more so is our gratitude for our heavenly Father’s many manifest blessings?

It is not out of fear but profound awe, respect and love of our Creator that we ought to humbly give him his due - which is our life, living it abundantly as he wills.

 

[amigo de christo]

To paraphrase what I wrote in another thread, only a fool could believe an all knowing God would send his son to suffer and die horribly for lip service. "Ibull eve" is insufficient; a transformed life, starting with genuine and complete repentance is the ante.

Philippians 2:12, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" in examining if you have confessed your sins to God, which he will forgive, as opposed to pridefully denying what you refuse to acknowledge is wrong in His sight is a far cry from the petulant refrain "I said I was sorry ... what more do you want?" The short answer is Jesus gave all and expects our all in return - not merely lip service.

Today, the forgiveness of sin is deprioritized as a mere formality, like the car driver who jugs milk after winning AS IF its a genuine embrace of the product. How will you conduct yourself upon meeting your maker?

1. "I said I was sorry ... what more do you want?"
2. Humbly fear and tremble in his sight?

View attachment 88800

lip service and yet a heart far from him means one thing . THEY DO NOT KNOW THIS JESUS OR THE FATHER at all .
And so does this , ANYONE who can cliam to believe ON JESUS and yet
ALL OF A SUDDEN when it comes to the other fasle religions give a pass about HAVING to repent and beleive on HIM .
IN FACT they LIE to them all . That is what this mother of all harlots does and her inclusive god satan .
THEY LIE to them all by means of intefaith interrelious dialgoue .
SO , DO WE REALLY BELIEVE WE MUST BLEIEVE . IF SO , GET FAR and wide from that ecmeincal whore house .
ITS all coming DOWN on JESUS day .
But you are right , LIP ONLY aint gonna cut it . NOR IS boTH BELEIF and UNBELEIF . ITS ONE or the other wrangler . ONE
or THE OTHER but it cannot be both .
NOW AS FOR ME , I ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BELIEVE YE MUST BELEIVE ON JESUS THE CHRIST
and that all who do deny HE is Christ , are teh liars , IS of anti christ . WHO is a liar
but he who denies that JESUS is the CHRIST , HE is anti christ . SO lets all flee anything ecuemincal now .

 

[bdavidc]

Indeed. There should be such profound gratitude and humility that one seeks to make not disappointing the unearned favor.

A human example. A parent of a small, beloved child takes a much needed shower. The child escapes the house and finds her way onto the busy street. Just as the parent gets out of the shower, his neighbor rings the bell with his beloved child safe and sound. What kind of ungrateful jerk would not defer to anything the neighbor requested after that?

How much more so is our gratitude for our heavenly Father’s many manifest blessings?

It is not out of fear but profound awe, respect and love of our Creator that we ought to humbly give him his due - which is our life, living it abundantly as he wills.

That is a good way to put it. Our obedience is not an attempt to repay God for grace, because we never could. It is the response of a heart that has been changed by that grace. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Paul says the same thing in Romans 12:1, calling us to present our bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” because of the mercies of God. Grace does not produce careless living. Real gratitude for what God has done should make us want to live for Him.