Goodness of God

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4).
Hypocrisy is the main topic of discussion as Paul addresses this letter to Roman
Christians, even though the “spill over” from his message is that he has opportunity to teach against many unseemly and immoral practices being committed by his readers.
Near the end of Chapter 1, Paul lists the sins they are condemning the Gentiles for committing. The problem is these Jews are committing the same sins—thus, the hypocrisy. So, he calls upon them to repent, that is, to change their minds about these sins and to stop committing them.
In this case, Paul teaches that the “goodness of God” should lead them to repent. God is Good…totally Good, possessing no imperfections nor shortcomings. Paul says such knowledge, by itself, should cause them, and indeed all people, to be led to do what is right and to seek to live up to God’s example.
We are not God, and we can never be as good as God; however, His example of Goodness should motivate us to strive toward the goal of such Goodness. “The Goodness of God” should lead us to repent.
Love,
Joe