“So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed.”

- Romans 2:3-5 (NIV)

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One of my favorite worship songs of all time is a song written by Chris Tomlin, Kindness. I remember when I first heard this song. My sister had just gotten Tomlin’s album The Noise We Make and we were listening to it on our way to Six Flags. I remember listening to the song and thinking it was pretty great – but what impacted me was his reflections on this verse, published in the cover jacket.

I wonder why most people who repent come to change their ways. Is it out of guilt? Is it motivated by a desire to do good and right? Fundamentally, I think it boils down to realizing God’s mercy. It’s the essence of the Gospel – realizing our innate destitution according to the Law and accepting the grace of God through Jesus Christ, who paid the full price for our sins. You can’t have one without the other and still call it the Good News. You can’t preach about the condemnation of sin and refrain from rejoicing about the free gift of God by grace through faith. It would be a hopeless message. You can’t offer to others a message of hope and redemption if they don’t know why they would want such a “salvation.” It would be a worthless message.

Every day I’m confronted with the weaknesses and failures I have in the flesh. But it’s because of God’s unfailing kindness that gives me freedom to turn from my daily sins to walk in holiness. What joy that is! That kindness toward me is so undeserved, but it’s part of God’s very nature.

Consequently, I believe that the way others are led to repentance is by the undeserved kindness God shows them through Christians. The passage even alludes to this idea – because while exposing sin is necessary (darkness flees in truth’s light), the reason why we are found innocent in God’s judgment is because the kindness He showed us in Jesus Christ.

I’m out of thoughts. Back into the fray!