Daily Devotion Friday October 8

4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?      ~Romans 2:4
Because of a recent article in the newspaper, I received angry phone calls this week from people who wanted to show me the ‘error of my ways’. One person quoted scripture as if I hadn’t read it before. Because if I simply read the same scripture, I’d obviously agree with them about its interpretation. Another yelled their condemnation of my soul as if the volume of their judgment would convince me of the error of my ways.
But as Paul points out in the verse, it is the KINDNESS of God that leads people to repentance. It is not judgment, accusations, belittling, yelling, or even quoting scripture at someone which will cause people to turn their hearts to God. If you want someone in your life to come closer to God, don’t belittle their actions (admit it, it’s probably some behavior of theirs which you want to change), but demonstrate God’s kindness to them if you want their hearts to be open to God (and you).
Prayer: God, help me extend your kindness instead of judgment. Help me recognize the opportunities in front of me to help demonstrate that kindness to those who need it most. Amen.
Pastor Vicky