Hey Church!
This verse was on my mind today: “…God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance…” (Rom. 2:4)
It would be unusual to find an earthly boss, parent, or any other form of leader who led their people to do the right thing, not by a stern application of rules but by inexhaustible kindness. How strange would that be to us? But the fact that God leads people to repentance in this way is truly a remarkable thought! Jesus’ obedience made it so.
God’s leading us by kindness means that while He grieves over our sin He does not (ordinarily, at least) intervene in the moment to deliver requisite punishment. “He does not treat us as our sins deserve.” (see Ps. 103:8-13) He longs for us all to achieve repentance (2 Pet. 3:9) but He will not coerce, berate, manipulate, chastise, belittle, or beat us into submission. Instead, He shows us the unrelenting nature of His love and forbearance, desiring to win us more than mere obedience, even at infinite cost to Himself.
The intended result is that we would want to follow after Him and learn to treat those who have sinned against us with the same kind of love and forbearance. The world sure could use more Christians like that. Let’s be that kind of people!
Take time over the weekend to dwell on the infinite mercies of our God and then come to church ready to give Him your loudest praises!
Your brother,
Ryan