When things are allowed to slide — when people are allowed to easily get by with things that should not happen — sometimes those things continue occurring because they may not be viewed as any big deal. However, when wrong is duly acknowledged, it ought to be turned from. Even as we consider the blessed relationship with God, the availability of His grace is not be viewed as license to continue doing whatever one wants (i.e. Jude 4), but ought to draw us more into a desire to please Him out of gratefulness for His great grace and thus turning us away from (note Titus 2:11-14) what is out of place with that relationship.
In His letter to Christians at Rome, Paul wrote. . .
“(4) Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (5) 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 2:4-5 ESV)
It is by the grace of God extended to us through Christ that we are delivered from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10) However, an impenitent heart does not lead the life in the direction God desires. God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience is not to be presumed upon, but is to prompt our heart to acknowledge what pleases Him and what does not. When this remains our focus, rather than continuing repeating sin, repenting of it will take place as the life is turned to gratefully walk in accordance with His Will. The more grateful we are for God’s grace, the greater motivation there will be to lead away from sin. May we retain a penitent heart and so remain led!
Have a great day LIVING THE KIND OF LIFE GOD’S KINDNESS IS INTENDED TO COMPEL!
Carl
