Contemplative Bible Reading

Romans 2:1-4 (New Living Translation)

4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

This is one of those verses that hits me like a baseball bat (yes, I have been hit in the head with a baseball bat).

Let’s consider this verse in light of the sentences that precede it.

1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?

This is about my bad (need to use a stronger, more negative adjective here) habit of seeing the faults of others while ignoring my own.

Back to verse 4, Don’t I see how wonderful God is to forgive little old pathetic me? If I realized how wonderful and giant a step that is by God, I would act like it. I would forgive others of the relatively small things they do to and about me.

Don’t I see? God, please help me in my unbelief.