God's Kindness Leads to Repentance

Called Into Covenant with God

God's Covenant with the Returned Exiles

Romans 2:1-8 The Message 

God Is Kind, but Not Soft

2 1-2 Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.
3-4 You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness, he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.
5-8 You’re not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it’s going to blaze hot and high, God’s fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end, you get what’s coming to you—Real Life for those who work on God’s side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!

For Reflection

Our survival depends upon good judgment.  But judgment is not a license to be judgmental. "There, but for the grace of God, go I." is a saying worth remembering.  Believing it keeps one humble. Living it keeps one kind. A mother's firm grip on a squirming child leads the child into disciplined behavior. When God takes you firmly by the hand, leave your squirming childhood behind and follow God's lead.

Pray

Pray that you remain humble and kind.  Pray that you will realize that accepting your sin and repenting will result in joy and rest from a weary world.