Whose Kindness?

Everyone experiences God's kindness in some way, but only some are led to repentance by it. But Rom 2:4b says "God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance." Or it could be phrased "God's kindness drives, or guides, or moves you to repentance."

So why if God's kindness leads to repentance doesn't everyone repent? Because their hearts are hardened and they haven't been granted repentance (2 Tim 2:25). 

If someone were to say, "I never tell people to repent, because God's kindness leads us to repentance," then they misunderstand both. God is more kind to that person already than they will ever be, but if they don't repent, God is simultaneously going to be more and more angry with them, which is called wrath. Repentance is not just a response to God's kindness, it's a response to our sinfulness and our sinful presumption upon God's kindness.

If it really is God's kindness that leads someone to repentance, you should be telling that person how God Himself is kind to them, not just how you are kind to them with your friendly demeanor. And how is God kind to them? By doing good to them in spite of their sin. First and foremost by sending Jesus to atone for the sins of the world at the Cross. So the kindness that leads to repentance is the Gospel, prophesied in the scriptures, fulfilled by Jesus Christ and preached by His disciples in all the world. Without the Gospel, it is some other kindness, some other god, some other repentance, and no salvation. How should the Gospel be preached? With power, the Holy Spirit, full conviction, godly living and joy (1 Thess 1:5-6). In 2 Cor 6:6 Paul says he preached the Gospel by "purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love." Surely it does matter how the Gospel is preached, but kindness without the content about Christ can't save. 

God speaks a Word of Grace to us and through us. The Word and Grace are closely related. Grace is God's nature and the Word reveals Grace. The Word is trustworthy, powerful and active and Grace grants us the Word. God's Word of Grace to us in the Gospel is a profound revelation of who God is. 

God is. Which seems more real and tangible to you, God's Word or God's Grace? You wouldn't have a Bible if it wasn't for God's Grace to you, but you wouldn't know what Grace is without God speaking about it in the Bible. Jesus is the incarnation of the Word and the pure manifestation of God's Grace. God's Grace in Creation and Redemption is Word-based, both times, and God's Word in Creation and Redemption is Grace-based, both times. I hope I've made the point by now.