January 24, 2018

Silence Is Not Always Golden

Romans 2:4–5

Hannah Quinn
Wednesday's Devo

January 24, 2018

Wednesday's Devo

January 24, 2018

Central Truth

Christ did not die on the cross to blanket us in forgiveness so that we could live life in whatever way we think best. Rather, He sacrificed His life to demonstrate His eternal kindness and patience so that we might see His gift and wholeheartedly yearn to trust and follow Him.

Romans 2:4–5

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? 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.

Dive Deeper | Romans 2:4–5

With the foundation of absolute truth shattered, our world is hopelessly sinking in a sea of popular opinion. Today, truth is a wavy line that curves and bends to the will of those with the loudest voices. If you're not in agreement, you're ostracized, regardless of the respectfulness of your tone or the validity of your arguments.

But silence is too often a chosen state rather than a forced one. Why are we not always the strongest voices in our homes, workplaces, and communities? God's truth is more powerful than anyone or anything we will ever encounter in our time here, and yet, we often shiver in fear at even the prospect of shame or ridicule. This is my ever-present struggle: a failure to trust God's power in the midst of my conversations to open a door to His grace. As a recovering people-pleaser, it's so much easier for me to avoid the conflict, the unpopular opinion, than to open my mouth and reveal the truth of God's Word. Paul said that he was "not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). 

God's forgiveness is not a license to act or live in whatever manner we deem right, even when that belief is prevalent around us. God's kindness, patience, and forbearance (holding back judgment) exist not to exempt us from obedience but to reveal the goodness and faithfulness of our Creator. He desires our repentance more than anything else because He seeks a relationship with us. And so, He stays His hand, letting His creation presume on the "riches of His kindness" so that we may one day might find redemption.

While God now withholds His coming day of wrath (Revelation 6:17), He has called you and me, like Paul, to bring Truth into the darkness around us and to let His power shatter the impenitent hearts. Through Paul's boldness in this letter to the Romans, God brought the power of the gospel to you. Let His grace be your voice and let His power overcome every hurdle you fear today.

This month's memory verse

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

– Romans 10:9–10

Discussion Questions

1. Are you a strong voice in your local community, boldly proclaiming the Word of God regardless of the social implications, or have you, like me, often chosen silence instead?

2. In what ways have you presumed on the riches of God's kindness, taking advantage of His patience and forgiveness? Are there things that still require your repentance?

3. What can you do daily to guard against a "hard and impenitent heart"?

4. Are you following God's calling to help others before the day of His righteous judgment? If so, what are you doing? If not, how can you be faithful to this calling today?