Kindness that leads to Repentance
(NRSV) Romans 2
1 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2 You say, “We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is accordance by with truth.” 3 Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
My aunt used to tell me “Do what I say, not what I do.” I didn’t understand at the time that there was such a disparity between what we say and what we do. But now that I am old, in fact older than I ever thought I would be, I see things differently. I can recognize evil for what it is and instead of ignoring it, I look it straight in the eye and call it what it is.
I do not waste time or compromise what I know to be truth, but nor do I judge those who have possibly never heard the truth. I think of children who hear Bible stories but conflate the people and or events. For example, if asked about the Flood, a child might say Jonah jumped in a boat built by Moses and the flood came because the Prodigal Son wanted a vacation , and St. Francis loved animals so God gave them wind for their sails to find the best place for the doves. Nonsensical? Yes. But if you remember Art Linkletter’s show “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” you will know little minds can get things confused.
So it is with the unchurched. They may hear bits and pieces of the Bible but have no real understanding of its meaning. So, for we who know the Word it is incumbent upon us to live by the Word. We can try to correct another person’s wrong thinking and behavior, but only if are not guilty of the same sins.
May we submit ourselves daily to the One who forgives us and enables us to show kindness toward others, praying that when they see love in us God’s love will shine through.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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