Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”   Thank God, there are those who respond rightly to the drawing of the Holy Spirit to God. Hearing the gospel, they are broken by the sacrifice of God’s Son on a cross bearing their sin. In doing so, they are recognizing the truth of the Words of this verse. “Repentance”: a desire to not sin before God any longer. They turn by faith to the Lord for forgiveness and everlasting life.

 (Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”   “Longsuffering”: the “putting up with” that which in some way bothers. A pure, Holy, sinless God suffers-long with us who are so full of impurity. Why? The Bible says (2Pe_3:9)  “The Lord…. is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

(Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  “Forbearance”: the word is from “self-restraint”. The Lord to this day restrains His wrath (yes, His wrath v.5,8) giving each of us a lifetime of chance to come to our senses. To ignore this opportunity is to “despise” it – the attitude being the same! Friend, turn from your sin, plead forgiveness and to be saved through Jesus!

(Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  Consider the “goodness” of God. If He rightly judged our sin the moment it was committed, none would be alive. Yet, His goodness allows us a life here varying in years, health, breath, food, sunshine and rain, plus various levels of happiness. This God does in His goodness even for those who will die and go to hell. God is “good”!

 (Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  “Despisest”: to think against; disesteem. The “goodness” referred to here is the Lord not bringing the mallet of justice down immediately upon one’s sin. By not judging immediately these take it to mean it is never coming. Sad, for it is meant to give one more than ample opportunity to repent, turning back for the forgiveness of God.

(Rom 2:3)  “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”   I am saved through faith in the blood of Jesus. There is an inheritance “reserved (1 Pet 1:4) for me. But that doesn’t mean I will not be held accountable for what I did with the life He has given me. There is a judgment for the saved (1 Cor 3:11-15). Also, God corrects (judges) in this life the rebellious child (Heb 12:6-11).

(Rom 2:3)  “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”  Pride says, “I am the exception to the rule.”  Friend, there are “no” exceptions to God’s rules. If it is wrong for the lost, it is wrong for the saved. If it is wrong for the average person, it is wrong for the blessed.  

 (Rom 2:2) “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.”   Truth: God only deals with truth. There is not the least bit of hint of a lie within any of His dealings with man, (Psa_33:4)  “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.”  When Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”, the answer was standing before Him: Jesus, the truth is sinless. I ask you, “Do you speak truth within your own heart, and then before man?” 

(Rom 2:2) “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.”  When judged, we state, “You have no right”; “You don’t  know my heart”. Thus we put off those who desire to help us. Oh, but we all stand fully exposed before He Who knows all things: (Ps 139:1) “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. (2)  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” When He judges – and He will – we will have no excuse.

(Rom 2:1) “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”   Why is it we have a tendency to be critical of others. Answer: pride. We think ourselves better than others. Notice closely the wording of the following: (Gal_6:1) “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” How hard it is for us to…. (Php_2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”