Can’t You See It? The Transforming Power of God’s Kindness

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

– Romans 2:4 (NLT)

Romans 2:4 isn’t just a verse to dissect, analyze, and interpret,  it’s an invitation to experience. I encourage you sister, to invite the Lord into this moment with you. 

Every time the Lord convicts me of my sin, which is usually in the stillness of my morning quiet time, it is always wrapped in kindness. I look to the Lord’s working in my life and this scripture anytime I need to help another sister prepare her heart to be searched by God. 

When Paul penned these words to the Roman believers, he was speaking to Christians. He was talking to you and me–those who knew God but were missing the heart of God. 

He wasn't pointing fingers at the obviously immoral sin. This time, Paul is addressing the hearts of believers. It’s easy to see how wicked the world is around you. It takes a diligent and obedient heart to examine the sin inside oneself. 

But if you examine this text, Romans 2:4 will show you why you can bring your heart and your sin to the Father. His kindness and patience with you establish a vulnerable relationship where you don’t have to hide. I pray you allow this text to draw you into a continuous practice of surrendering and permitting the Holy Spirit to search your heart for unrepentant sin.

There are days when I don’t want to search myself, and I let sin fester. These are the days I choose my misery. I usually don’t see it right away, but as the day or week progresses, I see how the sin I’ve chosen has driven me farther from the Father’s presence. This is not because the Father is driving me away, but because I’m choosing sin over His presence. Sin certainly isn’t drawing me closer to the Father. 

The more I practice coming to God with my hurt and asking Him to search me, the quicker I allow it to be my first response. The miserable days seem to lessen, and I’m no longer contributing to my misery. I encourage you, dear sister, to surrender to the search of the Holy Spirit and begin to see joy blossom in your day. 

Romans 2:4 strikes us with a question. A question that interrupts both complacency and removes the veil from over your eyes.

“Can’t you see?

This question uncovers a spiritual blindness that is too easy to live with.  Often, I am slow to recognize the unearned, consistent kindness of God in my life. I can easily see the faults of others. I see the evil in the world. This verse is a mirror, reflecting both God’s nature and my heart.

It doesn’t say: “Can’t you see how holy or how wrathful God is with you?” Though He is holy, and there is wrath reserved for unrepentant hearts. Instead, Paul emphasizes kindness, tolerance, and patience.

Three gentle words, but none of them weak. They are strong enough to hold back judgment. They are powerful enough to offer yet another day for redemption. They are holy enough to bear with brokenness while waiting for hearts to soften. And they are purposeful. These words are meant to lead us somewhere.

“Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

Not Driven, But Drawn

Many paths lead to the same conclusion. Sometimes you're driven there, often with someone else behind the wheel, steering the direction. Other times, you're drawn to it, moving forward willingly, like walking down a path whose end remains unseen.

There is a huge difference between being driven and being drawn. One forces while the other invites. One uses fear, guilt, and shame. The other uses love, patience, and mercy.

Cain was driven away from God with a heart hardened by jealousy and rebellion. Judas was driven by anguish. His sorrow, though deep, ended in destruction. Judas, driven by anguish, found death as his answer, not restoration.

In contrast, we see Peter, who denied Jesus three times and wept bitterly. Yet, when Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t condemn Peter. He didn’t cast him away. Instead, He drew him near. He asked, “Do you love Me?”—three times. Not to shame him, but to restore him. That’s the kindness of God in action.

Romans 2:4 reminds us: The Lord does not drive us to repentance. He leads us.

Repentance that is driven by fear or force may produce temporary change, but it rarely transforms the heart. It’s like trimming weeds instead of pulling them out by the root.

But repentance that is drawn by the kindness of God is real. Lasting and fruitful. It changes us because it touches the deepest places of our hearts.

When I asked God to search me and reveal my sin to me, He did it in such a gentle way. He was direct in showing me where I faltered. God withheld condemnation, which drew me to His heart. Even though I was wrong, I was received, comforted, and corrected in a transformative way. This revelation allowed me to view my sin and to seek repentance all in a moment. 

Patience is not approval

One of the most confounding truths of Scripture is this: God is good even to the wicked.

Jesus said that God “gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike” (Matthew 5:45). Many people misinterpret that. They assume God’s patience is approval. They assume that His kindness is indifference.

But it’s not.

God’s tolerance of sin is not His acceptance of it. His patience is not permission. It is a divine pause. He chooses to hold back judgment so that we might have another opportunity to repent.

The “goodness of God” in Romans 2:4 refers to this unearned grace that meets us in our mess. You are still being given a chance to choose Him.

God’s kindness is not a loophole—it’s a lifeline.

This lifeline is extended to every one of us, even when we are at our worst. And once we’ve received that kind of love, we are called to reflect it. To live it. To lead with it.

So let’s not settle for shallow religion, empty remorse, or fear-based obedience.

Let’s follow the One who leads us by kindness, Jesus.

Leading Women Toward Lasting Change

Whether you're mentoring one woman or teaching a room full of them, Romans 2:4 gives us a clear strategy: Let the kindness of God lead the way.

So, how do we lead women toward real repentance?

1. Model Transparency: Share how God’s kindness has changed you. Real stories of transformation resonate far more than lessons. Vulnerability invites vulnerability.

2. Teach the Heart of God: Help women understand that God is not waiting to punish them, but  He’s waiting to restore them. His slowness to anger is an opportunity.

3. Avoid Guilt-Driven Motivation: Don’t lead with shame. Shame never produces freedom. It either leads to hiding or hopelessness. Instead, point to the cross where Jesus bore our shame.

4. Celebrate the Turn: When a woman turns from sin, celebrate that moment. Heaven rejoices over one repentant sinner (Luke 15:7), and so should we!

5. Encourage Action: Repentance isn’t passive. Encourage practical next steps like reconciliation, confession, removing temptations, joining community, and seeking discipleship. These are the fruits of a heart that’s truly changed.

   
   

Don’t mistake His patience for absence. Don’t misread His mercy as neglect. His goodness is calling and drawing you near. Can’t you see it?

Let’s be leaders, mentors, and women who don’t drive others with guilt but draw them with grace.

Because in the end, it’s the goodness of God that leads us, and others, to repentance.

-Kelsey Bryant, Worthy Content Writer