Light vs. Darkness
Paul teaches that it is God's goodness that leads people to repentance (Romans 2:4). This is a consistent truth throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God says, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).
God desires people to “taste and see” that He is a good God. Unless people are convinced that God will be good to them, they won't trust Him.
“For the LORD is good, and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generation” (Psalm 100:5).
The Greek word for repent is metanoia, which means “a change of mind.” Some people believe that genuine repentance is to put the focus on how sinful a person is. The theory is that they won't truly appreciate God's grace/forgiveness if they aren't aware of their depravity before God. Focusing on how sinful people are doesn’t change them. Rather, it is getting them to focus on how good God is that will change them. It isn’t our focus on darkness that frees us but seeing the light that drives out the darkness, which blinds and binds people. We should help them see the light, not the darkness. Darkness never set anyone free, but the light has.
