THE GOOD OF GOD LEADETH THEE TO REPENTANCE

 

FEBRUARY 12
 
The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.
Romans 2:4

 

THIS is the design of every mercy which God confers.
 
The sinner has wrong thoughts of God, and
  the goodness of God is intended to change those thoughts.
 
He has wrong feelings towards God, and
  it is intended to change those feelings.
 
He walks contrary to God, and
  the design is to change his course.
 
Unless the goodness of God change our thoughts,
  feelings, and conduct, towards God;
  unless it produced sorrow for sin,
  hatred to sin, and the departure from sin,
  it does not produce a proper effect upon us.
 
Friends, look at the goodness of God to you in providence.
 
How many mercies crown your lot.
 
How many favours are heaped upon you.
 
Consider his goodness toward you as the God of grace.
 
He has given you his written word.
 
He has appointed minister to preach that word to you.
 
He has instituted ordinances to instruct and to impress you.
 
He has sent his holy gospel,
  in which he informs you of the gift of his Son for sinners;
  and the promise of the Holy Spirit to sinners.
 
All this is intended to lead you to repentance.
 

Let me, Lord, the true repentance,

Self-condemned, from thee receive;

Then reverse the fearful sentence==

Bid thy pardoned rebel live.

 

James Smith 1849