“Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance? But because of your calloused heart and refusal to change direction, you are piling up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.” Rom. 2:4-5
His kindness radiates from His beautiful heart. As our damaged souls breathe a sigh of desperation, His kindness comes, invisible but potent. He is confident that even a touch of His magnificent kindness is able to soften a hard heart.
Oh the joy He feels when His kindness is received by damaged people. Feeling completely unworthy of anything kind, wehave isolated ourselves from love. But when we hear the gentle knock of His kindness, we can dare to peek out and see if help has finally come.
His kindness carries our wounded hearts, and steadies our confused minds. Those who have been assaulted and abused understand self-protection and a life-style of fear. But the kindness of Jesus has nothing harsh or jagged in it. It never will.
His kindness is wrapped in patience, and He lovingly waits for us to begin to trust again.
We expect rebuke, but He comes with compassion. We expect punishment, but He brings restoration.
He knows the most intimate thoughts of humanity, even the most vile and perverted. Yet He cherishes all of us. It is this undeserved and unconditional tenderness that leads us to repentance. He is so eager to express His extravagant kindness that He offers it to all, at every turn. His default is mercy, for who can stand before Him on the Judgment Day without it?
When Moses encountered the I AM in the wilderness, “…the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth;”
Exodus 34:6 NASB
Which one of us would offer mercy, new every day, to those who reject us, or curse us or hate us? Yet, He kindly holds out His holy heart for just the moment the prodigal will come to his senses. He offers His magnificent kindness to come along side the degenerate who wants to be free.
The kindness of Jesus is the bright star that can lead us home to His heart. May His extravagant compassion melt our hearts and lead us to change our ways. He’s on our side. He wants us to be free. May His kindness lead us home to love. How can we refuse such a beautiful gift?
He is not going to hurt us; He wants to save us. He is not going to lecture us; He is going to sing over us. He is not going to shame us; He is going to call us His own.
“Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God.” Rom. 5:2 TPT