Kindness that Leads to Repentance

Romans 2:4 ends with the phrase, "It's the kindness (of God) that leads to repentance."

This is huge. The way most of us "confront" sin is with judgment and self-righteous condemnation. I know we don't mean to. It just comes out that way. And everyone around us seems to know it - except us.

I really think we believe we know how to "hate the sin, but love the sinner."

But if the truth be told, we really are better at hating both the sin and the sinner. I know we don't mean to. It just comes out that way and everyone around us seems to know it - except us.

We are masters of being judgmental.

We are masters of self deception.

Listen to this quote from Jud Wilhite, pastor of Central Christian Church in Las Vegas.

"There is someone I love, even though I don't approve of what he does. There is someone I accept, though some of his thoughs and actions revolt me. There is someone I forgive, though he hurts the people I love the most. That person is me. There are plenty of things I do that I don't like, but if I can love myself without approving of all I do, I can also love others without approving of all they do."

Wow!

Our goal is to lead sinners to repentance so that they can be transformed. But our method has been totally jacked.

What we need is to overwhelm the world with truth and grace. We need to live the type of life that is kind so that it will lead to repentance.

Man! Do I have a long way to go.

James <><
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