The Design of God's Kindness
Beware the functional antinomianism of contemporary evangelicalism
[Editor’s Note: This is part of a devotional series through the book of Romans.]
Romans 2:1–5
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. [2] We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. [3] Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? [4] 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? [5] But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
presumption, n.
1. The taking upon oneself of more than is warranted by one's ability, position, right, etc.; forward or overconfident conduct or opinion; arrogance, effrontery, pride; an act, instance, or state of presumption, arrogance, or overconfidence.1
We’ve addressed the theme of presumption before in Paul’s letter to the Romans by way of a positive example of not presuming on the Lord. But here the apostle takes aim at our presumptuous hearts by way of a negative example. That is, Paul considers our sinful tendency to presume on the Lord’s kindness. We see it in vv. 3–4 with a couple critical questions: “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 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?”
It is gross “arrogance, effrontery, and pride” to think that we can assume God’s kindness will persist toward the regularly wicked. In other words, “God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7); his kindness is not to be received as license to sin. The design of God’s kindness, as we can see from v. 4, is our repentance. Indeed, the purpose of “the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience” is our forsaking sin and pursuit of holiness. His riches in grace are given to make us more like Christ.
Tragically, there appears to be a functional antinomianism afoot in evangelicalism today. God’s kindness is perverted into provision for sin rather than incentive (and power) for sanctification. This, of course, is a twisted understanding of God’s grace, a theme Paul will revisit later in this letter (see, for example, 6:1–2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”). Paul warns any and all presumptuous people—those who presume on God’s kindness—with the all-important rhetorical question, “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?” The implied answer, of course, is “No!” There will be no escape for the presumptuous heart.
Father in heaven,
Don’t let me presume on your kindness, missing the fact that the riches of your grace toward me are for my holiness. Make me a pastor who labors to help people see why you’re so kind and forbearing and patient with us—not as license for sin, but for increasing conformity to Christ. That you may be glorified greatly in your people.
In the holy name of Jesus I ask it, Amen.
Oxford English Dictionary