His Kindness Leads to Repentance
The Transformative Power of Kindness: How God's Compassion Changes Everything
In a world that often rewards self-promotion and prioritizes personal advancement, there's a quiet force that holds the power to transform hearts and change lives: kindness. Not the superficial pleasantries we exchange to avoid conflict, but genuine, sacrificial kindness that mirrors the heart of God.
When Kindness Interrupts Our Plans
Picture this: You're standing in line at Party City during the New Year's rush of 1999. The line stretches endlessly before you. Arms are crossed. Faces are scowling. Everyone is trapped in their own bubble of impatience and frustration. You've ordered your balloons ahead of time, but so has everyone else. An hour-long wait looms ahead.
This was the scene one believer encountered, and what happened next reveals something profound about the nature of kindness. As he stood there, arms folded like everyone else, God began asking him questions: "How long will you wait?" An hour. "If you're okay with waiting, what can your body do?" He relaxed his arms. "What about your face?" He started to smile.
Then came the uncomfortable part: "Make eye contact with everyone."
What seemed like embarrassment became a testimony. While others stewed in frustration, this man helped the overwhelmed employees tie balloons. He spoke words of encouragement to Rob, a worker being crushed under the weight of angry customers and management pressure: "You're doing a good job. You're doing the best you can."
The next day, in a city of over a million people, he literally ran into Rob at the mall. Rob's girlfriend, after hearing the story, pointed at this stranger and declared: "The world needs more people like you."
Kindness isn't a small thing. It's taking God's presence and putting it into the pain and need of other people's lives.
The Difference Between Nice and Kind
We often confuse kindness with being nice, but there's a critical distinction. Being nice is about pleasant, agreeable behavior—often superficial and focused on avoiding conflict. It's saying yes when you mean no, giving compliments to please, being polite but not truly helpful.
Kindness, however, is different. It's rooted in genuine empathy and compassionate action for someone's well-being, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable. Kindness prioritizes someone's true needs over immediate comfort.
Think of it this way: A nice person makes you feel good in the moment; a kind person helps you be good for the long run.
Nice might hand money to someone just to make them go away. Kind stops to understand the need and responds with genuine care. Nice avoids necessary confrontation. Kind gives honest, constructive feedback even when it's hard. Kindness is often courageous, while niceness can be a form of avoidance.
The Good Samaritan: A Timeless Picture of Kindness
When an expert in the law asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus responded with one of the most powerful parables ever told. A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by robbers, beaten, and left half dead. A priest passed by on the other side. A Levite did the same.
But a Samaritan—someone from a despised group—stopped. He took pity. He bandaged wounds, poured on oil and wine, put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and paid for his care. He even promised to cover any additional expenses.
This wasn't convenient kindness. It cost time, resources, and money. It took the Samaritan out of his way. It involved personal risk and ongoing commitment.
Jesus asked which of these three was a neighbor to the wounded man. The answer was obvious: "The one who had mercy on him." Then came the command: "Go and do likewise."
God's Kindness Leads to Transformation
Romans 2:4 poses a piercing question: "Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
This is revolutionary. God's kindness—not His wrath, not fear of punishment—leads us to repentance. His persistent goodness softens our hearts and makes us want to change. His love acts as a magnet, pulling us away from destructive paths toward Him rather than pushing us away with condemnation.
When we experience His mercy, it highlights our need for forgiveness and fosters true remorse—not just regret over getting caught, but genuine sorrow for sin. Repentance becomes a beautiful act of returning to a loving relationship, not a burdensome, shaming duty.
As Titus 3:4-5 reminds us: "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."
Clothed in Compassion
Scripture calls us, as God's chosen people, to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12). These aren't optional accessories to our faith—they're the very fabric of Christ-likeness.
The fruit of the Spirit includes kindness alongside love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
Divine Appointments in Unexpected Places
Imagine waiting three hours in an airport line because of flight cancellations. Everyone around you is frustrated, arms crossed, faces scowling. You could join them in their misery—or you could invite God into the moment.
When we ask, "God, what do You have for me right now?" ordinary inconveniences become divine appointments. A three-hour wait becomes an opportunity to encourage someone who stopped going to church, to speak life into weary travelers, to demonstrate that there's something different about people who follow Jesus.
The world is full of hurting people—those experiencing financial strain, health crises, emotional pain, loneliness during the holidays, and countless other struggles. They're not looking for superficial niceness. They're desperate for genuine kindness that reflects the compassion of Christ.
The Ripple Effect of One Kind Act
Sometimes a single act of kindness creates ripples that extend far beyond what we can see. A neighbor treating a fatherless boy like a little brother. Consistent, Christ-like kindness with no obligation, no strings attached. Years later, that kindness becomes one of the propelling forces that leads a 14-year-old to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Why? Because kindness is unique. It's different from what the world offers. It points to something—Someone—greater.
Your Challenge
This season, choose kindness over niceness. Let the Holy Spirit show you divine appointments in unexpected circumstances. Be courageous enough to stop, to help, to speak life into someone who desperately needs it.
Listen to what God is saying. Trust Him. Remember: the world needs more people like you—people who are Christ-like, people who demonstrate that genuine kindness still exists.
Because ultimately, it's His kindness working through us that changes hearts, transforms lives, and draws people to the love of Jesus.
To Watch Full Sermon "His Kindness Leads to Repentance" Click Here
When Kindness Interrupts Our Plans
Picture this: You're standing in line at Party City during the New Year's rush of 1999. The line stretches endlessly before you. Arms are crossed. Faces are scowling. Everyone is trapped in their own bubble of impatience and frustration. You've ordered your balloons ahead of time, but so has everyone else. An hour-long wait looms ahead.
This was the scene one believer encountered, and what happened next reveals something profound about the nature of kindness. As he stood there, arms folded like everyone else, God began asking him questions: "How long will you wait?" An hour. "If you're okay with waiting, what can your body do?" He relaxed his arms. "What about your face?" He started to smile.
Then came the uncomfortable part: "Make eye contact with everyone."
What seemed like embarrassment became a testimony. While others stewed in frustration, this man helped the overwhelmed employees tie balloons. He spoke words of encouragement to Rob, a worker being crushed under the weight of angry customers and management pressure: "You're doing a good job. You're doing the best you can."
The next day, in a city of over a million people, he literally ran into Rob at the mall. Rob's girlfriend, after hearing the story, pointed at this stranger and declared: "The world needs more people like you."
Kindness isn't a small thing. It's taking God's presence and putting it into the pain and need of other people's lives.
The Difference Between Nice and Kind
We often confuse kindness with being nice, but there's a critical distinction. Being nice is about pleasant, agreeable behavior—often superficial and focused on avoiding conflict. It's saying yes when you mean no, giving compliments to please, being polite but not truly helpful.
Kindness, however, is different. It's rooted in genuine empathy and compassionate action for someone's well-being, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable. Kindness prioritizes someone's true needs over immediate comfort.
Think of it this way: A nice person makes you feel good in the moment; a kind person helps you be good for the long run.
Nice might hand money to someone just to make them go away. Kind stops to understand the need and responds with genuine care. Nice avoids necessary confrontation. Kind gives honest, constructive feedback even when it's hard. Kindness is often courageous, while niceness can be a form of avoidance.
The Good Samaritan: A Timeless Picture of Kindness
When an expert in the law asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus responded with one of the most powerful parables ever told. A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by robbers, beaten, and left half dead. A priest passed by on the other side. A Levite did the same.
But a Samaritan—someone from a despised group—stopped. He took pity. He bandaged wounds, poured on oil and wine, put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and paid for his care. He even promised to cover any additional expenses.
This wasn't convenient kindness. It cost time, resources, and money. It took the Samaritan out of his way. It involved personal risk and ongoing commitment.
Jesus asked which of these three was a neighbor to the wounded man. The answer was obvious: "The one who had mercy on him." Then came the command: "Go and do likewise."
God's Kindness Leads to Transformation
Romans 2:4 poses a piercing question: "Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
This is revolutionary. God's kindness—not His wrath, not fear of punishment—leads us to repentance. His persistent goodness softens our hearts and makes us want to change. His love acts as a magnet, pulling us away from destructive paths toward Him rather than pushing us away with condemnation.
When we experience His mercy, it highlights our need for forgiveness and fosters true remorse—not just regret over getting caught, but genuine sorrow for sin. Repentance becomes a beautiful act of returning to a loving relationship, not a burdensome, shaming duty.
As Titus 3:4-5 reminds us: "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."
Clothed in Compassion
Scripture calls us, as God's chosen people, to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12). These aren't optional accessories to our faith—they're the very fabric of Christ-likeness.
The fruit of the Spirit includes kindness alongside love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
Divine Appointments in Unexpected Places
Imagine waiting three hours in an airport line because of flight cancellations. Everyone around you is frustrated, arms crossed, faces scowling. You could join them in their misery—or you could invite God into the moment.
When we ask, "God, what do You have for me right now?" ordinary inconveniences become divine appointments. A three-hour wait becomes an opportunity to encourage someone who stopped going to church, to speak life into weary travelers, to demonstrate that there's something different about people who follow Jesus.
The world is full of hurting people—those experiencing financial strain, health crises, emotional pain, loneliness during the holidays, and countless other struggles. They're not looking for superficial niceness. They're desperate for genuine kindness that reflects the compassion of Christ.
The Ripple Effect of One Kind Act
Sometimes a single act of kindness creates ripples that extend far beyond what we can see. A neighbor treating a fatherless boy like a little brother. Consistent, Christ-like kindness with no obligation, no strings attached. Years later, that kindness becomes one of the propelling forces that leads a 14-year-old to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Why? Because kindness is unique. It's different from what the world offers. It points to something—Someone—greater.
Your Challenge
This season, choose kindness over niceness. Let the Holy Spirit show you divine appointments in unexpected circumstances. Be courageous enough to stop, to help, to speak life into someone who desperately needs it.
Listen to what God is saying. Trust Him. Remember: the world needs more people like you—people who are Christ-like, people who demonstrate that genuine kindness still exists.
Because ultimately, it's His kindness working through us that changes hearts, transforms lives, and draws people to the love of Jesus.
To Watch Full Sermon "His Kindness Leads to Repentance" Click Here
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