Is God kind or stern?

 
In discussing the ways of God with people and nations, Paul writes of the “kindness and sternness of God” (11:22). We know that God is kind and we love to dwell on that subject. But he is also stern and that makes us a bit nervous. The important point is that Paul links the two in a single phrase. God’s kindness does not rule out the fact that he is stern, and his sternness should be understood in connection with his kindness. Let’s get this into focus.
         The Greek word for sternness (apotomia) is used twice in our Romans 11:22 and nowhere else in the New Testament. In context it describes the severity with which God rejected Israel’s attempt to gain his favor by works. Paul uses the metaphor of branches being broken off from an olive tree. God, being righteous, must of necessity do the right thing. You and I might act that way but with the passing of time we often forget it. But God cannot and will not act contrary to his nature.
         God is also kind and this kindness is seen in his relationship to nations other than Israel. To continue the metaphor, he grafts in branches from a “wild olive tree” giving them the same benefits that he had promised his own people. God is kind because he reaches out for all.
         And how does this work out for us who, in a sense, were not in the picture? Most importantly, we are those blessed by his incredible kindness. Stop for a moment and consider how often we act as if the kindness of God required no change in life. He who is perfect in love and kindness, grants us the breath of life but we tend to use our gifts (God gave them to us) for personal benefit. For example, in his kindness the sovereign Creator of all there is patiently waits at our place of prayer, but we are so often to busy to meet him there. At this point I leave the imagery with you to complete.
         But God’s kindness is balanced by his sternness. If his kindness seems so unusual (given our tendency to wander) what could be said about his sternness, a part of the same scenario.  As concerned parents we discipline our child when conduct calls for it. We are stern. God is our heavenly parent and as the occasion calls for it he reacts with sternness as well. As we carry out corrective measures, so does God. The only difference is that he does it perfectly. His goodness includes no favors that would in time work to our disadvantage; his sternness is not reactive but intentional and always for our good.