DON’T TAKE THIS LIGHTLY
Romans 2:4 NKJV
4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
In the epistles, the letters written to the churches, there is a wealth of revelation knowledge. In the epistles, such as the book of Romans, there are great truths regarding God and His plan for man as revealed in Christ Jesus. Because God’s inspired words are living and powerful, we see God’s truth in a new light. And we can also see truth that we know in a greater light. It’s a spiritual thing that never gets old. But there will be things in the epistles that you do not understand. Don’t let that bother you. All of us are in the same boat. Just don’t get discouraged. Look for what you can see and understand, and don’t focus on what is a mystery to you. Stay happy in God and grateful for His word, and it will all work out for your good.
Today is a great verse regarding the nature of God. Paul is asking the question regarding three of God’s attributes. When he says do you despise, Paul is not talking about how we use the word despise today. We use the word to describe an intense dislike, such as, I despise onions. Actually, that’s not a good example because I hate onions. I do despise spinach and cream cheese the way my mother used to make it. It’s not in the onion category, but it’s close. If someone said they despise you, then it’s no surprise when you are not on their Christmas card list. But lest I digress, the biblical usage of despise means to think lightly of. In Hebrews 12:2, Jesus despised the shame of the cross. It meant that even with the shame of being exposed to the world in a criminal’s death, Jesus thought lightly of that shame. He did not give the shame much weight. One translation says He disregarded the shame. This is the disregard, the light estimation, that we are to avoid when thinking about three characteristics of God.
The three we are to regard highly, not lightly, are the wealth, the immense amount of God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering. This is where having different translations and Bible study tools comes in handy. The NASB translates these three as kindness, tolerance, and patience. God is rich in kindness. Kindness is rendered kind, good, and the opposite of severe. The Olive Tree Bible Dictionary says it’s the “grace which pervades the whole nature, mellowing all which would have been harsh and austere.” The root word is the same word that is used for wine, which has mellowed with age. Don’t read too much into that definition. Forbearance means to bear with or be tolerant of. And we can rejoice that God is rich in tolerance. And longsuffering is to suffer with for a long time; self-restraint before proceeding to action. The Bible Dictionary says, “The quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so.”
Because of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience toward us, we are not to think lightly of these traits. How many times has God tolerated man’s arrogance and blasphemy? How patient God has been with mankind. In fact, it’s the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. God could have been harsh, but instead, in His grace, He sent His Son to pay the price for our sins. God could have taken revenge on mankind who rejected Him, but He restrained from acting. And when God did take action, it was out of love, and Jesus was sent.
So, we don’t think lightly about the wealth of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience. We are grateful. Eternally grateful.
PRAYER
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your rich kindness, tolerance, and patience toward me. I have a bright future because of You.