PRAY OVER THIS
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.”
Romans 2:4-7
PONDER THIS
Some people have the idea that if they’re not having any problems, they’re right with God. If they’re healthy, if their bank account is up, if they have no problems, evidently God loves them, and everything is fine. They don’t need to repent—look at all those blessings. But the blessings of God don’t mean you’re right with God. God gives you blessings to bring you to Him. It doesn’t mean you don’t need repentance. The goodness of God leads to repentance.
As a matter of fact, the goodness of God only makes your judgment more severe if you deny your dependence on Him. If you’re being blessed now, let me beg you to come to the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t get the idea that God’s goodness is an invitation to sin more, because the greater the blessings, the greater the judgment. And I want to remind you that Sodom and Gomorrah were at an all-time high when the fire and brimstone fell. The Bible says one of the marks of Sodom was that the people not only committed abominations but also had fullness of bread and idleness. (See Ezekiel 16:49-50.) In other words, there was so much prosperity that people didn’t even have to work. But the goodness of God did not lead them to repentance.
What is your typical posture before God when you are going through good times?
Where do you consider yourself to be right now—in an easier or harder season? How can you practice repentance regardless of the season you are in?
PRACTICE THIS
Speak with a friend about how your relationship with God changes when you are in a good or hard season.
LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers
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