Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? — Paul, to the Roman church
If you judge other people as to the things they do that are wrong, you judge yourself as well.
Paul was very clear. He listed all the moral wrongs that people do. He must have realized that when people heard that list, they would immediately assume that the list applied to other people. Then he hits them, hard, by saying in essence that you also do things morally wrong. How is it then that you can sit there with righteous face on condemning others? You also are condemned.
But Paul doesn’t leave us just hanging out there condemned. He offers an alternative.
Already in the letter he hints at the theme. God’s grace.
Is repentance one of those words that triggers images of mean-spirited men or women with frowning faces, pointing fingers, shouting at you that you’re going to hell?
Actually all it means is that where once your life journey took you to places with people that you should not have gone to and with. Then you decide, with God’s help, to turn in a different direction and live life differently.
Instead of following our passions, our emotions, our “friends”, we start acting according to the many examples we can find from Jesus and Paul and others.
We put God first.
We help those in need.
Our lives reflect the fruit of the spirit–love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
(Me, I’m working on that forbearance part. What about you?)
We practice the spiritual disciplines–study, prayer, meditation, living simply, quiet, celebration, worship, and the rest.
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 