Repentance and God's Goodness
A Sermon on Romans 2:2-4
Scripture
2But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4Or despisest thou …
Sermon Description
The goodness of God leads to repentance, but God’s goodness does not erase His wrath. While that may sound severe, in this sermon on Romans 2:2-4 titled “Repentance and God’s Goodness” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones brings the proof. By His unchanging character, God is good and just. Though He is longsuffering, He never ignores sin. His justice requires that He have wrath against sin. It would be like a parent threatening a disobedient child but never following through with a punishment. That child loses respect for the parent since the punishment does not occur. In the same manner, all should be in awe of God and His mercy, and sin should cause active repentance. Christians should never use an attribute of God or Scripture for their own selfish purposes. Paul preaches to the Romans that the kindness of the Lord leads both the believer and the unbeliever to repentance. The fact that the Lord is actively leading His people is a great hope and proof of His goodness and mercy.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul imagines objections from Jews about God's wrath and judgment.
- Jews argued they were exempt as God's chosen people.
- Paul argues all are judged by the same standard. God shows no favoritism.
- Jews argue God's goodness means He will not punish them.
- Paul says this view despises God's goodness by taking it lightly and using it as a license to sin.
- God's goodness reflects His character. To distort it is to distort God's character.
- This view makes God's justice and righteousness meaningless, like an indulgent parent with no discipline.
- This view uses God to serve human ends, manipulating God's character to suit human desires.
- This view fails to understand the purpose of God's goodness is to lead to repentance.
- "Not knowing" suggests willful ignorance and unconcern for the truth.
- God's goodness exercises a constraining influence to lead to repentance.
- God does not force repentance but draws people to it.
- God wishes all would come to repentance but does not will it, or all would be saved.
- God's grace is shown to all but is not efficacious or irresistible for all.
- There is a difference between God's will and God's wish. His will is always accomplished.
- God's goodness is meant to lead all to repentance but does not actually do so. Only God's effectual grace leads to repentance.
- Moral persuasion alone will never lead anyone to repentance. Repentance requires a new nature and outlook from the Holy Spirit.
- Repentance always comes before salvation. It is the necessary first step.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.