MOTIVATION FOR REPENTANCE

I find it interesting that scripture tells us that it's God's kindness that leads us to repentance. Scripture doesn't say that God's justice leads us to repentance. It makes me wonder whether the phrase, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!" means not so much "Repent, for your judgement is near" as "Repent, for your LOVE is near"? Perhaps the motivation for repentance comes not from a fear of punishment but rather, repentance happens because it pains us to hurt Someone who loves us so much? It would seem that the latter motivation would be more in line with the character of God.

Just yesterday, God gently told me that He misses having conversations with me - and if I was honest with myself, I missed having conversations with Him. I had gone from the extreme of almost legalistic duty of spending time daily in the quietness of His presence to the other extreme of "freedom" and just doing whatever I felt like. God's love was beckoning me to come back to a place of discipline and consistency. I repented not because I feared judgement, but because I no longer wanted to hurt the One who loves me most.

It makes me think about how we approach people who are living in sin. As the people of God, are we trying to lead people to repentance through kindness? What are people hearing when they hear that the Kingdom of God is near? Do they hear Judgement is near? Or Love is near?

God's kindness leads you toward repentance.

~ Romans 2:4b ~