The Riches of His Kindness

“So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto
life” (Acts 11:18).

“I am sending you to them to open
their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
unto God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those
who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18).

“I preached that they should repent and turn to God and
prove their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness,
tolerance and patience, not realizing God’s kindness leads you toward
repentance” (Romans 2:1).

“When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you by
turning each of you from your wicked ways” (Acts 3:26).

“Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope
that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth
and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,
who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

The words repent and turn keep recurring in
these verses. But also notice the words that precede repent and turn. They are grant,
kindness, and gently. Repentance is not a harsh word. It is a
wonderfully soft word.

Written January 1988.