Judging Wrongly

“Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?  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?”  Rom. 2:3-4

Oh, we humans rationalize so grandly.  To think that we could judge others (while guilty of the same sins our selves) and get off the hook!  Paul says, “…you presume on the riches of his (God’s) kindness and forbearance and patience…”.  We presume we will be left off the hook, but for what reason?  How did we manage to avoid a fate that “those sinners” did not avoid?  Has God favored us?

God’s purpose in forbearance and patience is totally missed.  Eyes are blinded to these graces.  Wrath and judgment are held off for the sake of one thing:  so that we might repent.  Ask forgiveness for the sins we have committed.  See that Jesus Christ alone has paid the sin debt and conquered death.  Accept Him as Lord and Savior.  THEN, we are covered by God’s grace; we are in His family.  Not free to judge, mind you.  Ambassador of grace is each convert’s new title.  Proclaimer of patience.  Filter of forbearance.  We are meant to tell others of this great gift.  Let us not view forbearance and patience in arrogance!  Why?  “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.”  Rom. 2:5
kenny