In the context of challenging the spiritual arrogance of the Gentiles Paul advises them to, “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.” (Romans 11 v 22)
Instead of weighing up how good you are in comparison to the Jews or any other ‘group’ within the Gentile world realise that we have no position other than to lie prostrate because of His kindness expressed to us when we really should have had his sternness. The next time we want to say something unkind about someone first choose to say it to God and get His opinion. The next time we want to look down on someone because they seem to have received God’s sternness then ask why have we not received the same treatment? Ask it when the answer cannot be anything to do with how faithful we have been or our religious observance in fact it cannot be anything to do with us. What is the answer then?
Why do we gloat so much over someone who receives God’s sternness instead of saying ‘that should be me’?
Is our heart so hardened that we think certain people deserve hell but we don’t? Does our hearts not make us cry anymore? Have we become so arrogant that we no longer grieve? Who is really far from God?
Missions Paul 