Beyond Mediocrity Blog

(Image courtesy of http://www.sparkpe.org.) "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?  But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day when God's righteous judgement will be revealed" (Romans 2:4-5). The apostle Paul finished his condemnation of the Gentiles at the end of chapter one; that is, those who openly practiced sin and rebellion toward God, having considered Him, only to exchange His truth for images and worldly philosophies.  Chapter two, though, was written in a different tone, as if Paul turned his head from the Gentiles to the Jews, the people who had grown up in Jewish homes and obeyed all the external Jewish customs and said all the Jewish things.  Paul rightly decreed their condemnation as well.  They who condemned others for their sin, should they think themselves worthy of Heaven?  Certainly no

(Image courtesy of https://www.ralphkarseboom.com.) "Preach the Gospel at all times and use words when necessary." This quote has been used by many over the years to justify their fear in proclaiming the Gospel of God in speech.  "Oh I don't think we need to go around beating people over the head with Jesus," I have heard many say over the years.  "Just give 'em a smile."  But where in the world do we see such nonsense in the Word of God?  Jesus promised persecution and danger for any who would follow Him in proclaiming His message of repentance, not smiles and pats on the back.