The Effect of Kindness

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:4

This is such a rich, profound and challenging question.

Remember, Paul is addressing religious people in this second chapter of his letter - reminding them that the judgment that the human race is under extends even to people who regard themselves as moral and religious.

In making this point, Paul gives us perhaps one of the most shocking definitions of religious self-righteousness found anywhere in the Bible. People who judge others for certain acts while committing the same acts themselves are not only bringing themselves under judgment, they are also showing "contempt" for the riches of God's kindness.

In legal circles, showing "contempt" means to act in a way that displays utter disrespect for the law or the courts. Self-righteousness, according to this definition, is an act of utter contempt for God. It displays a total lack of respect for his kindness, patience and tolerance.

By judging others harshly, religious people are in effect saying, "I know better than God; his kindness and tolerance for people is not as effective in changing them as my critical judgment."

Wow!

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:4