Romans 2:4
[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? (ESV)
Have you ever looked at someone's lifestyle and wonder, "How do they get away with that?" Perhaps you have a neighbor who has been cheating the IRS for years and even laughs about it. Maybe you watch the news and see politicians living like they are above the law. It could be a rock star who should have died years ago with all his wild living, but he is still kicking!
God's judgment is coming. In the previous verses Paul has not only established that we are deserving of judgment, but also he has assured us that God will judge. He is not slow, he is intentional. Someone who is living in their sin may mock God because they see no judgment for their sin. They misjudge the ultimate judge.
God is patient with us. He is not rash with his judgment for a reason. He wants us to come to repentance. Paul reminds us in this verse that God's kindness and forbearance and patience are given to the unjust as a means by which they may be led to repentance. This makes their sin even more grave. While God is showing them kindness they are engaging in even more rebellion.
God will ultimately bring everyone to judgment. No one is above God's Law. There are two kinds of people who will face the judgment. Those who have repented of their sin and received the mercy of God purchased by Jesus Christ. Their sin was paid for by Christ's blood. Everyone else will be eternally punished in the fires of hell. They will have to pay for their own sin.
God's kindness and forbearance and patience is not a sign of his weakness, but rather a sign of his amazing love. I encourage you to repent so that you do not have to pay for your sins when you face the righteous judge.
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