Quit the Shame Game: Unlocking Repentance Through Grace

The Liberating Power of God’s Goodness

Do you know someone whose life is spiraling, a heart hardened and bound by sin? Perhaps they have rejected faith, or live in a way contrary to God’s loving commandments. We may feel righteous anger, the urge to confront and condemn. But is this truly the heart of Christ? In Romans 2:4, the Apostle Paul asks a pointed question: “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”  

What a challenge! Could it be that our harsh words and judgments actually distance people further from the repentance they so desperately need?

Reclaiming the Truth: Goodness Leads to Repentance

For centuries, even those within the church have focused on fire-and-brimstone warnings. Sinners have been publicly shamed, ostracized, and threatened with eternal damnation. These tactics, born of human zeal, may have made us feel morally superior but have largely proven ineffective. Sadly, while Christians wring their hands, countless souls fall deeper into sin and separation from God.

We have forgotten the transformative power at the heart of the Gospel: It is God’s goodness that leads to repentance! That’s not to dismiss the seriousness of sin or the absolute need for salvation. Yet, without grace, change won’t come. Without a glimpse of God’s boundless love, why would a desperate heart reach out to Him?

Let’s become agents of His grace. Believers determined to show those hurting and lost the very thing they crave without even knowing it: the goodness of our God. Let us pray for them, intercede on their behalf, and let our actions testify to the kindness of Jesus – without compromise, but always with genuine care.

What Does “Goodness” Look Like?

So, how can we bring God’s goodness to those who desperately need it?

• Love the Unlovable: Can we model Jesus by loving those society calls unlovable? Instead of condemnation, can we offer acceptance and unconditional love?
• Meet Practical Needs: When we address practical needs—a meal, assistance, a listening ear—we demonstrate God’s tangible care, breaking down barriers to faith.
• Share Hope, Not Doom: Speak of God’s redemption, forgiveness, and plans for our lives. Remind those stuck in the darkness of sin that their stories are far from over.

This way, when broken hearts finally cry out, “What must we do?”, we don’t fumble for answers we rarely consider ourselves. We are ready, equipped with the powerful and enduring message of repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38).

Yes, repentance is central to turning lives toward God. However, it often springs from an unlikely source: encountering His unwavering love and mercy firsthand.

Repentance in a Modern World

This message of repentance—this turning away from sin and toward God—might feel old-fashioned. The world may scoff at the idea. But God’s truths still hold. Perhaps this is why Paul reminds us that God will confirm His saving message through signs, wonders, and miracles! As His witnesses, we must boldly proclaim the Gospel with both our words and deeds.

A Challenge and a Prayer

My dear brothers and sisters, let’s choose a different path. Let’s be determined to walk away from the religious habit of merely scolding and judging those entangled in sin. It’s time to stop feeling vindicated as people rush toward condemnation.

Instead, let’s commit ourselves to embodying Christ’s radical love for the lost. Let our lives be a living, breathing example of God’s enduring goodness–leading hearts back to him through genuine repentance. This is how we participate in His mighty work of redemption and restoration.

May God grant us hearts overflowing with His compassion and courage. May we witness a great turning as souls desperately seeking freedom choose instead to run into the arms of a loving Father.

Let’s not just talk about revival—let’s live it.