Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness.  Otherwise you too will be cut off.  Romans 11:22

I had a dream last night.  I was walking down the middle of a busy street.   Every person I passed had a hand-written label pinned on their jacket.  Most tags revealed a detailed list, while a few were blank.  I asked the Lord about them.  He told me that the labels with the long lists were the details of that person’s sins against God.  The longer they lived, the longer the list became.  A few labels went to the person’s knees.  Their faces were dark and resigned as their tragic fate awaited them.

Then I asked Him about the labels with no writing.  “These are the ones who trusted Me to forgive their sins.  Their list of offenses was nailed to my cross, so there’s nothing left on their list to forgive!”   I saw joy on their faces as they passed me.

Two spiritual states.  Two opposite destinies.  Two polarized facial demeanors.

God has two sides.  He is loving, but He is also just.    He is kind, but He is also severe.  If I only tell people about a loving God, they will presume upon His kindness and end up in hell.  If I only preach to them about a just God, they will distrust His love and become angry.   Oh, for biblical balance.

Every person will experience His kindness or His wrath.  Oh, our witness must be urgent and accurate because God has two sides.  Both are holy.  Both are right in their execution.  But above all, He longs to be kind and forgiving.

 I love Your kindness, yes, but I also love that You won’t let evil win.  Amen