Contemplation #205
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God . . . Romans 11:22
Out of the love of God there is both kindness and sternness, for kindness is not all there is to love, and sternness does not exist without love. In this passage Paul is speaking of how God grafted in the Gentiles though they were not originally part of Israel. This was the kindness of his love. The sternness of God’s love led him to break off those who do not believe, though Paul is confident that they can be grafted in once again if they will not persist in unbelief. Both God’s kindness and sternness are expressions of his love, and we do well to consider the fullness of divine love so that we know we are loved through both God’s kindness toward us and his stern correction.
Contemplation #206
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God . . . Romans 11:22
We are enjoined to consider the kindness and sternness of God’s love so that first we learn to recognize God’s love and respond to all that he lovingly does. However, there is room also to consider how our love, when it is God’s love in us, will be both kind and stern . . . merciful and corrective. The fullest expression of love to our neighbor has both aspects. However, we are not kind for our own sake, for any reward or compliment, or sense of fulfillment. We are also not stern out of ourselves: arrogance, self-righteousness, vindictiveness, or malice. Apart from divine love we can be both kind and stern, but these are not fruits of love. To learn to be kind out of love and to discover how to be stern as an expression of love means changing our kindness and sternness into love.
Contemplation #207
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God . . . Romans 11:22
In considering the nature of God’s love we must learn to desire to be truly cherished in the fullness of divine charity. Out of our self-centeredness we can easily prefer to be treated kindly, rather than to be loved. When I want only what pleases me I do not want to be loved both mercifully and sternly. I want God to do what benefits me and meets my selfish desires. When we learn to desire to be loved and not simply satisfied, then the “no” of God will become as sweet as his “yes”. We will be grateful for great corrections, which are another form of kindness and mercy to us.
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God . . . Romans 11:22
Out of the love of God there is both kindness and sternness, for kindness is not all there is to love, and sternness does not exist without love. In this passage Paul is speaking of how God grafted in the Gentiles though they were not originally part of Israel. This was the kindness of his love. The sternness of God’s love led him to break off those who do not believe, though Paul is confident that they can be grafted in once again if they will not persist in unbelief. Both God’s kindness and sternness are expressions of his love, and we do well to consider the fullness of divine love so that we know we are loved through both God’s kindness toward us and his stern correction.
Contemplation #206
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God . . . Romans 11:22
We are enjoined to consider the kindness and sternness of God’s love so that first we learn to recognize God’s love and respond to all that he lovingly does. However, there is room also to consider how our love, when it is God’s love in us, will be both kind and stern . . . merciful and corrective. The fullest expression of love to our neighbor has both aspects. However, we are not kind for our own sake, for any reward or compliment, or sense of fulfillment. We are also not stern out of ourselves: arrogance, self-righteousness, vindictiveness, or malice. Apart from divine love we can be both kind and stern, but these are not fruits of love. To learn to be kind out of love and to discover how to be stern as an expression of love means changing our kindness and sternness into love.
Contemplation #207
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God . . . Romans 11:22
In considering the nature of God’s love we must learn to desire to be truly cherished in the fullness of divine charity. Out of our self-centeredness we can easily prefer to be treated kindly, rather than to be loved. When I want only what pleases me I do not want to be loved both mercifully and sternly. I want God to do what benefits me and meets my selfish desires. When we learn to desire to be loved and not simply satisfied, then the “no” of God will become as sweet as his “yes”. We will be grateful for great corrections, which are another form of kindness and mercy to us.
posted by Greg at 9:33 AM
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