OUR BENEVOLENT GOD

God is merciful, never punishing a sinner just for the sake of doing so. Before He passes judgment, the Lord seeks to draw him to the foot of the cross ... 

Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience; not realizing that it is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

'Kindness' refers to the benefits God gives, 'forbearance' refers to the judgment He withholds, and 'patience' to the duration of both. 

Instead of recognizing His gracious provision and tender mercy, many accuse God of being insensitive and unloving. The carnal mind judges the Lord from a truncated human perspective ... failing to acknowledge that if it were not for His 'kindness, forbearance, and patience' no one would be alive. 

It is only by God's amazing grace and longsuffering that we exist at all ... In His hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10

Spurgeon - It seems to me that every morning when a man wakes up still impenitent and finds himself out of hell, the sunlight seems to say, ‘I shine on thee yet another day, as that in this day thou mayest repent'. When your bed receives you at night I think it seems to say, ‘I will give you another night’s rest, that you may live to turn from your sins and trust in Jesus'. Every mouthful of bread that comes to the table says, ‘I have to support your body that still you may have space for repentance'. Every time you open the Bible the pages say, ‘We speak with you that you may repent'. 

'Repentance' is not something you must 'do' before looking upon Christ. The 'looking' comes first and any sincere mourning over your sin comes afterward. Some mistakenly say, 'We must mourn for sin, and then look to Jesus to pardon it'. 

That is wrong. 

If you weep over your guilt without first fixing your eyes on Christ, you will fall into a repetitive cycle where the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification fails to take root. 

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.  Acts 3:19

According to prophecy, God's patience will soon be exhausted. Do not wait, seek His face, acknowledge your sin, and receive the gift of salvation. Place your broken life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and be transformed into His likeness.