The goodness of God is too often taken for granted by most people. Good health, ample income for shelter and food, a loving spouse and nice kids are expected without question. But let a storm, flood, earthquake or avalanche occur, and most will agree with the insurance companies, "It is an 'act of God.'" Many will quite readily place the blame on the very One Who loves them most and has demonstrated His goodness for a lifetime.
In Romans 2:1-11 the apostle Paul rebukes the self-righteous who agree that sinners should be judged while they do the same things but expect to escape. In the midst of that discussion, Paul asks in verse 4, ". . . . despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffer- ing; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
Webster defines forbearance as "patience; a refraining from the enforcement of what is due." In spite of what is due us because of our sin, God is good to us! Webster defines longsuffering as "long and patient endurance of offense." In spite of our continual offense, God endures it and is good to us! Why do we not recognize the goodness of God, repent of our sins and turn to God in repentance and faith so that we may be forgiven of our sins? Why do we not then show our gratitude by a godly life?
Perhaps you would argue that you are not too bad a sinner; you deserve the goodness of God. Let's see — have you broken any of the Commandments? Have you thought of or fantasized about any of those forbidden practices? Have you done all of the things required by God so that God has no case against you at all? Could you speak up; I couldn't hear your reply. Oh. I thought as much. But God has been good to you, hasn't He?
Maybe your life hasn't been the proverbial "bowl of cherries," but God has been patient with you and has preserved your life and provided your needs. He has withheld your due and pending judgment to this point and has continually offered to you His redemption and salvation through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. How long do you think God will forbear? That's right; you don't know. That is why God says that ". . . now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2b). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:31). I would hope that the goodness of God would bring you to that point today.