Romans 2:3-4 (ESV)

3 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? 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?

“No one is perfect”.  Have you ever heard someone say that?  If so, they have condemned themselves.  To admit that no one is perfect is to confess that they too do not measure up to a certain level of perfection that we all sense.  This is a very serious reality.

Today’s application is something that we SHOULDN’T do. Paul was encouraging the Christians in Rome NOT ignore this reality. One cannot be saved if they are quick to condemn someone yet ignorant of their own sins and offenses towards God. Second, Paul is telling people not to rely on God’s kindness and love. Just because God is kind, doesn’t mean that He will relent from punishing sin.

God’s kindness is not meant to be a safety net to catch you from Hell, allowing you to live how ever you choose. His kindness is meant to call us to repent and return to Him. The fact that God would desire to love us and restore non-perfect people that don’t deserve it should overwhelm us.

Application:

Don’t ignore sin, thinking that God will excuse your lifestyle choices if you are consciously rejected His ways or that He will give you a pass because of His great love.  That is not a repented heart that has placed their trust in Jesus.  Do the opposite.  Allow the love and kindness of God to continue to lead you to live MORE like Jesus so that you can lead more people to Jesus.