0430 TRYING A FATHER’S PATIENCE

TRYING A FATHER’S PATIENCE

Let’s zero in on a nuance of verse 2 in chapter 2 of Romans. Then we’ll talk about human parenting. Here it is in multiple translations:

“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?” ‭NLT‬‬

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” ‭NIV‬‬

“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

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” ‭KJV‬‬

Maybe I’m seeing something here that is not parallel at all. And maybe I’m seeing clearly a parallel that is supposed to be true. Paul says God is kind, tolerant and patient, because he allows us to walk in sin without destroying us immediately. In effect, he is a Father who does not run his own house with an iron fist.

So whether it is Adam and Eve, where God used words to warn, but did not execute immediate punishment. Of course, there was punishment, and it was very significant. But there was not an immediate striking down of the man and the woman.

Here’s what I’m seeing: Sometimes a parent puts up with behavior that is really unacceptable in a child, and the child just continues to get worse. We sometimes call such a child a “spoiled child.” Because there is not a clear and consistent cause-and-effect relationship between their behavior and the parental response, the child continues to press against the patience of the parent.

One day the parent snaps, and a long lecture surprises the child. “Where did THAT come from?” The child asks. “Why was it okay all those other times, and suddenly it’s a big deal?”

Maybe when that happens, we call it poor parenting. Of course, more accurately it is poor child-ing. But we don’t have such a word, so we blame the parent. Would we also blame God for patiently allowing us to sin? Yes, I think some do. They say that the concept of “hell” to hold people in line seems archaic and unfair.

What would be “fair?” Would it be fair if God gave us a hand slap every time we do something wrong? If He did that, would we start to obey him, and would we love? I think the unintended result would be outward compliance but no love. If there were not a certain randomness in life, we would function like well-behaved little robots and living with a theology that includes instant karma.

Instead, God is patient and loving, and he puts up with sinful behavior while giving verbal warnings again and again. All the while, he is whispering to us, “If I love you more, will you love me less?” “Now give me your heart, dear child.”

God’s kindness leads to repentance. May we recognize it, appreciate it, and live within it. Amen.