KINDNESS AND THE SEVERITY OF GOD

Romans 11:11-24

 

It’s almost seems out of place to

put these two words together?

 

How can God be kind and wrathful at the same time? (will get to that in a minute) But first!  

These past couple of years has played on everyone’s heart strings. 

Whether you follow on social media or not.

 

We have all witnessed some real ugliness in the church, our community, and in our country, over the past many months.

We have seen families break up and not speak to one another.

We have seen people lose their jobs and their homes.

We have seen an increase in assaults, thief, and murder.

We have seen marriages struggle to the point of divorce.

We have seen the mental health of Canadians, rise higher than it has it decades. And still no is listening or doing anything to help them.

We have seen suicide reach record numbers, specifically in young people.

We have seen depression and other mental illness go untreated.

We have seen close friendships break apart, depending on where they stand on social and political issues.

We have seen people put blinders on or stick their head into the sand, because they don’t want to deal with it or address it.

We have seen anger, and hatred, towards one another, like I have never seen before.

 

And I’m always left with this question in my mind? How did the people of God become so ugly in times like this? See how I didn’t say “How did the world become so ugly?” The world system is failing and will continue to fail until Christ returns. The world is saturated in evil and it strives and hungers for more. The world loves wickedness, and they love it more and more, with each passing day. The world has done a great job influencing the church to join in and this is where we see God’s kindness and severity at work in the church.  We’re all prone to behold God’s kindness/goodness and never look intently into His severity and wrath.

The word "severity" has the root meaning of "cutting right off". (v22) Paul is speaking of an extremely serious spiritual condition, where a majority of Israelites fell from spiritual opportunity into severe judgment. (v9-v10). What about the church? We have had a spiritual opportunity these past two years and have we used it to its fullest for the glory of God? The Scriptures reveal that God is kind and severe at the same time. ”Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” Rom 2:1-8

 

To those who believe there is kindness.

To those who rebel Him there is severity.

 

The Jews were disobedient and God dealt with them severely; for the time being they are cut off. The Gentiles who have believed, however, have received His kindness. This grafting in would have made ethnic Jews furious. The Jews were hostile, bitter in the opposition to the Christian church. But, Paul hopes that as the glory of the church continues, his kinsmen will see the glory of the gospel. (v11-v21). It’s as if… the church is to produce gospel jealousy, not a sinful jealously or the sin of envy, but being used to demonstrate the kindness of God.

Did Stephen make Paul Jealous?

Did Stephen’s faith create a sense of longing in Paul’s heart?

 

We don’t know…. but we do know that unbelievers are drawn to Christ through the attractive witness of those who possesses the joy found in the gospel. The hope for the Israel is this! That this bitterness would turn into jealousy, and in this jealousy they would pursue what the church enjoys. If that is God’s plan by using the church to gently rebuke the Jews, which it is true….. Why has God’s bride become so unhinged these past two years? The answer to my question is, “We have allowed the world to enter in and educate us, instead of doing what James commanded. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:12-22

 

Have we the church, made the Jews jealous to pursue

this joy we have in Christ?

 

Have we, the church, made Killaloe jealous to pursue

this joy we have in Christ?

 

Why do I say all this? This is olive branch that God extends and attached to the tree is given to sinners, despite their past and present behavior. (v13-v16). Just as Israel failed, and rebelled against the offering of blessing. This was given to the church until the time of Gentiles is complete. (v25). Despite how the present church looks, God is still grafting people into the family. Even in the churches failings, and exposing her weaknesses, God is using this time to draw people to be jealous for the gospel.

 

Yet besides all that, God still demonstrates

His love over His church.

 

(v18) is a great reminder for every one of us. Remember where you came from, and remember the grace of God that brought you the cross. Remember which rock he found you under as the weight of sin was producing death in you. Remember the overflowing kindness of God, to call a sinner like you, and me, and to call us His, “sons or daughters”. Remember to be very careful you don’t become proud and arrogant, so that it doesn’t clouds your judgment of others who are His children. (v17)….says those of the natural branches and those who were “wild olive shoots” are being nourished by the same roots, of the same olive tree. God is using the church not only to make ethic Jews jealous so that they hear and seek the gospel. God is also using the church to draw people to Himself, though the faithful and active obedience of the elect. God is using the church “wild olive shoots” which were fruitless, and nothing more than giant weeds, have been brought near by the blood of Christ, to make this world jealous. As Paul said, “remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” 

Eph 2:12-13. Israel is still God’s chosen people, but we have been grafted in through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we have been brought near. Attached, plugged into, the olive tree that regenerates and cultivates you to bare much fruit for Christ.

 

This is the were we see the kindness of God A genuine and pure kindness…. that requires intervention from the outside, both from God’s Spirit and also His divine Son. An amazing kindness by stepping into a callous world, showing us a different way, and doing it, climactically, to our eternal salvation and joy.

 

The gospel is the ultimate demonstration

of real kindness.

 

If we apply that to you and me I would say, “Julie and I have learned throughout our marriage, kindness toward each other begins with God’s kindness toward us in Christ.” Only then can we really find the resources to overcome evil with good. Victory over annoyance with patience, and rise above callousness with kindness. The Christian act or extension of kindness has to be rooted in the in Christ. The only genuine way of displaying kindness is recognizing what God has done in your life though His Son. God has given us a special kindness that we have through faith in Christ. It’s through this kindness/the gospel, that God is using to make Israel jealous. God’s divine kindness not only brought eternal rescue for God’s long-chosen people, but it engrafts even strangers into God’s ancient tree of blessing through faith. (v22). Jesus is kindness incarnate, whose yoke is not severe, but (literally) kind. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt 11:30. He is the Lord whom we, with new Spirits taste His everlasting kindness. “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3

 

David Mathis said of “Desiring God”, “Ultimately, it is the kindness of God that melts an unforgiving spirit, softens a hard heart, and transforms unkind actions. In Christ, we become the kind of people who see others, and have compassion for them, and exercise patience toward them, and show kindness to them, knowing not only that we ourselves have been shown kindness but that “in the coming ages [God himself will] show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”. We have only begun to taste the kindness of our God.”

 

When we receive the blessing of God’s kindness, do you understand what that means for you and me, as it relates to us being grafted into this olive tree?

God’s lovingkindness is through Christ. “…immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”  Eph 2:7. 

God’s lovingkindness is abundant. “…a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” Nehemiah 9:17. 

God’s lovingkindness is precious. “How precious is your steadfast love, O God!” Psalm 36:7. 

God’s lovingkindness is marvelous. “Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.”  Psalm 17:7

 

God’s lovingkindness is everlasting. “In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer.”  Isaiah 54:8

 

God’s lovingkindness is merciful. “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” Psalm 117:2

 

God’s lovingkindness is better than Life. King David wrote, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:1-4

 

As His children/ His church we….. 

Have the knowledge of His kindness……... Psalm 107:43

Are drawn by His lovingkindness………. Jer 31:3

We are revived by His lovingkindness……..Psalm 119:88

Are comforted by it……… Psalm 119:76

Receive mercy through it…….. Isaiah 54:8

 

The Hebrew writer reminds us of this truth. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:14-16

This is the God who pours out His kindness to you and me, who have been grafted in through the blessing of the gospel. But understand this…..He is also the God, who will not be mocked or fooled.

 

Persevering faith walks in gratitude to God

and in the fear of God.

 

(v20-v21) is a warning for you and me….Is God Kind? Is God serve in His judgments? Yes. As Paul Washer said, “I have good news and bad news. The good news is God is here, the bad news is God is here.” This is the clearest warning for the church about continuing in the faith. We are to be eternally grateful for this grafting in, but we also are tremble at the severity of God, and the coming judgment of the unregenerate. We are not to be presumptuous or arrogant, but we should continue in faithfulness.

 

For God did not spare Israel from the

consequences of unbelief.

 

And the same is true for the church age. R C Sproul said “Just as apostasy polluted Israel, it can pollute us. We have seen the unbelievable corruption of mainline churches that have become monuments of unbelief and apostasy. Just as God cuts off the branches of Israel, he will cut the unproductive Gentile branches.”

 

Remember what Jesus said about the Vine and the branches? “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” John 15:5-6. Here is where we see the kindness and severity of God, with one it bares fruit, the other it exposes them for their unbelief.

 

John MacArthur wrote in his commentary, “Because of God’s blessing of ancient Israel as a nation, many Jewish unbelievers shared in that blessing. In the same way, because of God’s blessing on the church, many unbelievers within the church taste that blessing. But if they fall away, God’s patience will be exhausted and His offer of grace withdrawn, that blessing by association will be of no value when unbelievers face the Living God in judgment and are eternally cut of from Him. Those who in unbelief refuse God’s kindness in the offer of salvation are destined to be cut off by His severity.”

Just as God’s severity was exercised towards Israel, so it will replace His kindness towards the Gentiles if they become arrogant. Either way! In God’s judgments He receives the glory; and in God’s kindness He receives the glory. We have tasted the blessing that flow from God through His Son, so that we could grow into His image to draw sinners to Himself.  (v12)

 

A jealous person wants someone back for him

or her own benefit.

 

In God’s case, He wants Israel back for Israel’s benefit. God is using the church too ultimately to make ethic Jews jealous for the things of God. And God is using the church to also make others jealous, not envious, but jealous that they too would taste and see what you and I taste and see. The precious gospel that saves. As I said a few weeks back…. God created mankind, so that He would be known. Just as……. God created us to see the kindness and severity of God at work

though Israel and the church.