The Kindness and Sterness of God

Romans 11:22 (New International Version)

" 22Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you..."

I was waiting to meet with a friend of mine this morning for our weekly time of fellowship. He was running a little late so I took that time to read a little. This was a little of what God shared with me.

I have been thinking about this all day long. How amazing it is. Consider the endless power of God that can be displayed in both ends of the spectrum. He shows his sternness by judging unholiness. His standard of holiness is so much different than ours. Our flesh cannot understand the purity, and righteousness of God. He demonstrates this by condemning sin (no matter how small or large). I thought about the sternness that he demonstrated to Sodom and Gomorrah through the destruction of the ungodly. How scary it would be to be the recipient of His sternness.

On the contrary we are instructed to consider his kindness. I can think of no greater example of this than his forgiveness of the same thing that condemned Sodom: SIN. He chose to forgive me by allowing His holy and pure Son to take my place. This is uncomprehendable kindness. This is the kindness that can only come from a holy God. And He chose to bestow this kindness on me.

It is amazing to think that our God displays His power through both kindness and sternness. At times he displays his sternness through the comdemnation of sins. At times his kindness through the forgiveness of sins. I am thankful and humbled that I am an example of the Kindness of God. I pray that I can be bold in sharing this truth with those around me,