Lisa told me to make sure that I didn’t miss Romans 2:3-4 this week. We’re studying kindness this week, and she’s been impressed by how much more complex it is than she originally imagined. I checked out the verses, and here’s what I found:

It is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. It was his kindness that made redemption possible. It was his kindness that spared Noah and his family from the flood. It is his kindness that doesn’t punish us all right now for our numerous sins.

We, on the other hand, are quick to judge others. The music they listen to, the movies they watch, the fact that they smoke, or drink, their tattoos, length of hair, accent, color of skin, nation of origin, denominational affiliation, political alignment–all these are things that affect the way we treat others, what we think about them, and often, how much slack we cut them-how kind and gracious we are to them.

When we pass judgment on others, when we fail to pass on God’s kindness, we “show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance, and patience.” (v4) Today, ask God for perspective on what He’s done for you. You’ll find it much easier to be kind in return to others.