May 30: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

Love AND Holiness

Scripture: Romans 11:22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Observation: There are two sides to the character of God: kindness, coming from His love, and sternness, coming from His holiness. From the verses in this chapter His kindness is seen in His grace allowing foreign branches to be grafted into Himself. His holiness is seen in His sternness removing the faithless original branches. The grafted branches need to be careful to continue in His grace or they, like the original branches will be cut off. His kindness is seen in his willingness to re-graft the original branches if they return.

Application: I should be thankful, humble, and faithful. I should be thankful that God has “grafted” me into his family! I should be humble because I did not start out as his child, but he still accepted me! I should be faithful because I too can be removed if I do not “continue in his kindness.”

Prayer: Lord, I am eternally thankful for your grace to me. I am amazed that you use me for your purposes. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit I am committed to faithfully serving you. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!