Yesterday, Pastor Byron launched us into a series on the book of Romans. Years ago Rick Warren (Purpose Driving Life author) said that Romans was the most theological book in the New Testament. Even so, it was still 50% about application. The entire idea of Christian Theology is rooted in gaining better understanding of God’s character and heart so that it can inform our faith in practice. Byron shared some major truths out of Romans 1 & 2 yesterday. You can listen to the sermon on our podcast.
One of the things that stuck out to me was the verse in ch. 2 where Paul said, Don’t you know it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance?”
That is a profound statement. As Christians, it is easy to dismiss people who’s views on morality are different than ours. Are there clear moral standards in the Bible? Yes. What does that mean? It means we don’t shy away from how the Bible tells us to live if we want to honor God. It also means we don’t stop loving people who disagree with it.
Everyone who has ever been born (minus Jesus), is born on a path to Hell. Everyone. The only way anyone has a chance to escape that is through Jesus’ work on the cross. It is only by accepting that work in our lives and allowing ourselves to be changed by it can we get off the path to destruction. Therefore, we have no place to condemn someone whose lifestyle doesn’t conform to the Bible. So what are Christians supposed to do in a culture that is increasingly anti-Bible and anti-Christ? Be loving and show kindness.
People will associate Christians with Jesus. If we are unloving, rude, and condemning, that will be the way they see Jesus, which is not the savior we see in the Bible. We see a perfect and sinless person who walked a path of compassion, and died to give others a chance to live in healthy relationship with God and other people. That is the Jesus we should emulate. Jesus never shied away from a strict code of righteousness. He never compromised right and wrong. He did love those who didn’t measure up. He had compassion on every sinner he came across. He was only really harsh with those with unloving attitudes and a sense of self-righteousness (those who looked down on others).
So where are we in our walk? Are we loving of people created in the image of God. How can we love them like Jesus loved them and still be uncompromising in biblical righteousness? There is a way. It is the way of Jesus. It is the call of His church. It is the kind, loving, righteous presence of the church that will help people encounter Jesus for who he is, and not just a twisted caricature rooted in a lie. Where the Son is there is truth, freedom, life, and love. Where those are absent, it is a good bet the Son is absent as well.
As we round into the season of Pentecost, let us be mindful of how we love others with truth, freedom, and life. Let us be mindful of our words and attitudes. Because it is “God’s kindness that leads people to repentance.”
As we do so, lets us always keep in mind the vision of TGP for God’s
Presence. Power. Love.