THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADS TO REPENTANCE

ROMANS 2.4

 “Wrath” is God’s response to everything that is wrong.  He takes action against anything and everything that is wrong.

He begins with a rebuke, which brings repentance to a wise man.  (Proverbs says much about rebukes that correct the wise vs. the destruction that comes to the foolish who keep on going in the wrong.)

The wise man enters the place of refuge, away from the wrong, to learn from God what is the holy and right thing to do and say in these storms of life.

 When wrong attacks and damages our lives, God’s correction confronts my wrong.

We recognize what is wrong and the consequences. 

Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves…

With integrity and godly sincerity…

relying not on wordly wisdom by on God’s grace.

2 Corinthians 1.12

The goal of this command is love, which  comes from a pure heart,

 a good conscience, and a sincere faith…

Hold on to faith and a good conscience.

1 Timothy 1.5, 19; 1 Timothy 1.5

I can enter my refuge (“my room”—Psalm 4.4-5) and confess my failure with repentance. Repentance changes me and my responses.

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.

 He cares for those who trust in Him.

Nahum 1.7

In refuge God restores, rebuilds, and renews the places that have been devastated and ruined.

“The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob

like the splendor of Israel.”

Nahum 2.2

(See also Is. 61.4 with vv. 1-3 and Luke 4.18-19).)

I meet with God in a place of refuge. 

God meets with me.

I am transformed as I see and contemplate some new glory He reveals to me.

We contemplate the Lord’s glory and are… transformed

into His image with ever-increasing glory,

which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3.18

The way of life you learned and were taught

In accordance with the truth that is in Jesus…

To put on the new self, created to be like God

in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4.20-24

Refuge!

Here I come!