Let's look at kindness in God:
How does God demonstrate kindness toward us?
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness (kindness) [G5544], forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness (kindness) [G5543] of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 NKJV)
Paul points us to the Cross - showing God's goodness/kindness leads us to repentance and to the Son. This is the message of the Gospel – it is the kindness of the Father that sent the Son to the Cross for us.
“Therefore, consider the goodness (kindness) [G5544], and severity of God: on those who fell, (speaking of the Jews who rejected the Gospel) severity; ……. but toward you (the Gentile believers), goodness (kindness) [G5544], if you continue in His goodness (kindness) [G5544]. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22 NKJV)
(A warning of Paul concerning the "non-Christian" that thinks they are saved because they are in church.) Don't think that because God is kind – He is not severe to the wicked. If you have not repented and believed in the Son (i.e., rejecting Jesus as your Savior), then you only have God's wrath to look forward to.
“that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness [G5544] toward us in Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:7-10 NKJV)
Paul points to the Gospel; God's kindness is seen in Christ Jesus; it is only by grace, are we saved through faith.
“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. (4) BUT when the kindness [G5544] and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, (5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, (6) whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:3-6 NKJV)
Paul is again referencing the Gospel as our only hope and the way we ought to live – being washed by the blood, walking in the Spirit.
2. Are you daily coming to the Cross to be washed? Are you coming to the Cross to find the power to walk in the Spirit? Are you coming to the Cross to war against your flesh that wants to do things contrary to the Lord? Have you, by faith, believed that Jesus personally died for you? Are you by faith walking in the Spirit?
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