God is Kind, But He's Not Soft.

GOD IS KIND, BUT NOT SOFT. HE’S FULL OF GRACE, BUT HE’S NOT SQUISHY ON THE TRUTH. HE TAKES US FIRMLY BY THE HAND AND LEADS US INTO A RADICAL LIFE-CHANGE.

Good Morning My Loves,

For the past few days I’ve been looking at the list or “results” of unchecked “vain imaginations,” and the truth that everyone of us are on that list. I encourage you to take some time and read it for yourself. (Romans 1:18-32) When we look at that list, we can clearly see that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not one of us can point our finger at someone else’s sin in an attempt to divert attention away from our own. Each of us must take a personal account of where we have fallen short, repent, and turn to our “kind” Savior, Jesus Christ, to lead us into a radical life-change.

I see many people that want the “kindness” of Jesus, but they don't want the “righteousness and holiness” of Jesus. Therefore they never see the “radical life-change,” that He died to give them. It’s important to understand that Jesus is kind, but He is not soft on sin. He’s full of grace, but he’s not squishy on the truth.

Romans 2 (MSG)

God Is Kind, but Not Soft

2 1-2 Those people (those that refuse to acknowledge their sin, repent, and accept the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross) 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!

I read a quote that said “Don’t judge others because they sin differently than you!” I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. Our job is not to condemn and judge sinners, but to love them. After all, that’s what Christ has done for us. In fact, God reserves his harshest judgment for those who deal harshly with sinners. Matthew 7:1-5 (MSG)

7 1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. I believe that if we’ll stay true to the Word of God, set a righteous standard, and keep “our own face washed,” we’ll be able to be like our Savior who is “kind” to sinners, but not soft on sin. We’ll be able to take others firmly by the hand and help lead them into a life of radical change, because we’ve walked out of our own garbage by holding onto the hand of our precious Lord. He didn’t drag us, beat us, or belittle us into a life of change. He gently led us with grace and truth. It was His “kindness” that led us to repentance, and it will continue to be His kindness working through us that makes others want to embrace the truth as well. It’s only the mercy and compassion of Christ that creates the climate for radical change. Mercy ALWAYS triumphs over judgment. Let’s be like Jesus, and we’ll get the results of Jesus.