Daily Reading 2-28-17
Romans 11:1-6 Living Bible (TLB)
Kindness is the fruit of the Spirit. I looked up the biblical definition of the word “kindness” and found this: An attribute of God and quality desirable but not consistently found in humans. Kindness and mercy are used interchangeably. That means when we are truly kind and care about the heart and soul of others, we are responding like the Lord. In fact, Scripture teaches God considers extending kindness or mercy to others more important than offering ritual sacrifice to God. As you go through you day, please remember to sow kindness into the lives around you. God will smile.
The Apostle Paul taught all the time about the mercy of God, because God extended kindness to him. Once he experienced the fruit of kindness given as a gift by the Spirit, he better understood the heart of God. Paul shared his understanding in a letter of correction to the Christians in Rome who were convinced God no longer loved the Jews.
11 I ask then, has God rejected and deserted his people the Jews? Oh no, not at all. Remember that I myself am a Jew, a descendant of Abraham and a member of Benjamin’s family.
2-3 No, God has not discarded his own people whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet was complaining to God about the Jews, telling God how they had killed the prophets and torn down God’s altars; Elijah claimed that he was the only one left in all the land who still loved God, and now they were trying to kill him too.
4 And do you remember how God replied? God said, “No, you are not the only one left. I have seven thousand others besides you who still love me and have not bowed down to idols!”
5 It is the same today. Not all the Jews have turned away from God; there are a few being saved as a result of God’s kindness in choosing them. 6 And if it is by God’s kindness, then it is not by their being good enough. For in that case the free gift would no longer be free-it isn’t free when it is earned.
Prayer: Lord, help me to receive in a greater measure the spiritual gift of kindness, today. Then, help me to release it into the lives around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.