SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1127

“Kindness and Severity”

Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. – Romans 11:22

Having just celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ we now move into a New Year toward the celebration of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. In between these two celebratory events stands the cross where Jesus bore the punishment for our sins and provided the means of salvation and eternal life for us through Him. The Cross is where the kindness and severity of God meet.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life; …God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. –  John 3:16; Romans 5:8

Beware of the one-sided ‘feel good’ Gospel that ‘tickles the ears’ with what our flesh wants to hear about the kindness of God while downplaying the conviction of sin and the need for repentance that is required to truly be spiritually born again.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

 The Truth of the Gospel is balanced with the kindness and severity of God. Jesus came into this world to die for our sins. He came because of the severity of God. The curse of Adam’s sin that we each have can only be removed by Jesus.

Jesus said to him,“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

Sadly, the Church has grown fat with worldliness and has diluted and compromised the Truth of the Gospel and the Word of God.

But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation. – Deuteronomy 32:15

Know this: God will not be mocked.

The Lord  s slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty; Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life… – Nahum 1:3– Galatians 6:7-9

There is such a thing as ‘healthy fear’ and respect for what can harm us. However, we seem to have more fear of viruses and civil unrest and terrorism than we have for the severity of God.

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him! – Luke 12:5 (BSB)

Have you considered both the kindness and severity of God? Do you have a balanced eternal perspective and outlook? May the Lord give you a healthy fear and respect for His kindness and severity.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom… – Proverbs 9:10