Tuesday February 2, 2021

In the busyness of our everyday lives, we often fail to prepare our hearts and minds for reading God’s word and experience God in this time. Take a moment to allow this prayer to lead you into your time with God today.

As I enter into this time of prayer and reflection, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God.

Holy and loving God, in this new season I invite you to shape my soul with your words and inspire my life with your works. Teach me to walk in the way of peace and grace. AMEN.

Romans 2:3-4

So, when you a mere human being, pass judgement on them and yet do the same things, do you think
you will escape God’s judgement? 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?

If you are feeling especially motivated this morning take time to read all of Chapter two. But the precept is simple. People that are forgiven by God experience the kindness of God, live in the grace of a loving God, lose the right to judge, condemn, and be unkind to others. It is a simple premise not only of the bible, the Christian life, but of the very life that Jesus lived.

Human beings are very limited, but we are not limited when it comes to our decisions to forgive and be kind to others; a life we choose to live that extends from God’s kindness toward us. We may not be able to walk on water like Jesus, but we can treat others like Jesus.

God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4b)

God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance (life change, a turnaround, a new day, different day, better day). But the heart of the idea that is so powerful is not just a life where we are better people, or we stop doing things that damage us and damage others, but a life lived in response to God’s kindness. God forgives, blesses, shows mercy, and so do we. In this life we experience the power of God because it is here where we most closely identify with Jesus Christ as one of His disciples and followers.

God’s kindness, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to each of us is because of who God is. When we are kind, live out grace, show mercy, and forgive, it is because of who we are becoming in Jesus Christ.

Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You, in every way.

Amen.

*Our opening and closing prayers are adapted from Lectio 365, a mobile application developed by the 24-7 Prayer Network. To find out more about this resource, visit this link.