Kindness . . . Undeserved? (2nd draft)
Kindnesses grand:
extended a hand,
with or without pleading
or a silent or constant weeping
in humbling demand
from a stranger,
be it financial, physical or mental
lent; but, most expectedly
from a loving mate, or loyal friend.
Kindnesses small:
a smile big, even a tiny grin,
thank-you's, encouragement to help someone begin
a task to them arduous:
"Like apples of gold in silver carvings
Is a word spoken at the right time." Proverbs 25:11.
On gifts like these
our magnificent world daily
can a gentleness spin
upon all.
Not dependent upon social status, popularity,
or shades of color: ones' skin.
We're in it together.
Humanity.
Whether beating down a wall
thick or thin.
"For there is no righteous man on earth
who always does good
and never sins." Eccl. 7:20.
Why a ransom was made by a benevolent
Creator: His Son, the Beloved. The Lamb.
Not broken, a limb,
as prophesied: "He is guarding all his bones;
Not one of them has been broken." Ps. 34:20.
In Jesus fulfilled: "But on coming to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs."
"In fact, these things took place for the scripture to be fulfilled: “Not a bone of his will be broken.”
And again, a different scripture says: “They will look to the one whom they pierced.” John 19:33, 36, 37.
Therefore,
"By this undeserved kindness
you have been saved
through faith,
and this is not of your own doing;
rather, it is God’s gift." Eph. 2:8.
"That is why it is through faith,
so that it might be according to undeserved kindness,
in order for the promise to be sure to all his offspring,... to those who adhere to the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all." Romans 4:16.
Eternal Life
in heaven for a "little flock"
on an earth cleansed
for the "other sheep"
and resurrected ones:
"But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise,
and in these righteousness is to dwell." 2 Peter 3:13.
Whom The Master
through Christ
does
in extreme
loving-kindness
and generosity
call:
"No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him, and I will resurrect him on the last day." John 6:44*.
The above-spoken words of Jesus
one may in memory
vaguely
recall.
So then,
"Let us, then, approach the throne of undeserved kindness with freeness of speech, so that we may receive mercy and find undeserved kindness to help us at the right time." Hebrews 4:16.
For,
"The sacrifices pleasing to God are a broken spirit;
A heart broken and crushed, O God, you will not reject." Psalm 51:17.
Upon these awe-inspiring words
do frequently reflect:
"For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life,
and I will resurrect him on the last day.” John 6:40.
"For the undeserved kindness of God has been manifested, bringing salvation to all sorts of people." Titus 2:11.
Except for these
who He does not select:
"they are ungodly men who turn the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for brazen conduct
and who prove false to our only owner and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 4.
Which ones are we?
Let us become ones who use free-will wisely
walking a narrow road imperfectly correct.
“Go in through the narrow gate,
because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it;
whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it." Matthew 7: 13, 14.
Remember: Mankind will gain what Adam lost:
Eternal life lived in a paradise
with loved ones cherished
and with health amazing.
PERFECT!
extended a hand,
with or without pleading
or a silent or constant weeping
in humbling demand
from a stranger,
be it financial, physical or mental
lent; but, most expectedly
from a loving mate, or loyal friend.
Kindnesses small:
a smile big, even a tiny grin,
thank-you's, encouragement to help someone begin
a task to them arduous:
"Like apples of gold in silver carvings
Is a word spoken at the right time." Proverbs 25:11.
On gifts like these
our magnificent world daily
can a gentleness spin
upon all.
Not dependent upon social status, popularity,
or shades of color: ones' skin.
We're in it together.
Humanity.
Whether beating down a wall
thick or thin.
"For there is no righteous man on earth
who always does good
and never sins." Eccl. 7:20.
Why a ransom was made by a benevolent
Creator: His Son, the Beloved. The Lamb.
Not broken, a limb,
as prophesied: "He is guarding all his bones;
Not one of them has been broken." Ps. 34:20.
In Jesus fulfilled: "But on coming to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs."
"In fact, these things took place for the scripture to be fulfilled: “Not a bone of his will be broken.”
And again, a different scripture says: “They will look to the one whom they pierced.” John 19:33, 36, 37.
Therefore,
"By this undeserved kindness
you have been saved
through faith,
and this is not of your own doing;
rather, it is God’s gift." Eph. 2:8.
"That is why it is through faith,
so that it might be according to undeserved kindness,
in order for the promise to be sure to all his offspring,... to those who adhere to the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all." Romans 4:16.
Eternal Life
in heaven for a "little flock"
on an earth cleansed
for the "other sheep"
and resurrected ones:
"But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise,
and in these righteousness is to dwell." 2 Peter 3:13.
Whom The Master
through Christ
does
in extreme
loving-kindness
and generosity
call:
"No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him, and I will resurrect him on the last day." John 6:44*.
The above-spoken words of Jesus
one may in memory
vaguely
recall.
So then,
"Let us, then, approach the throne of undeserved kindness with freeness of speech, so that we may receive mercy and find undeserved kindness to help us at the right time." Hebrews 4:16.
For,
"The sacrifices pleasing to God are a broken spirit;
A heart broken and crushed, O God, you will not reject." Psalm 51:17.
Upon these awe-inspiring words
do frequently reflect:
"For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life,
and I will resurrect him on the last day.” John 6:40.
"For the undeserved kindness of God has been manifested, bringing salvation to all sorts of people." Titus 2:11.
Except for these
who He does not select:
"they are ungodly men who turn the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for brazen conduct
and who prove false to our only owner and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 4.
Which ones are we?
Let us become ones who use free-will wisely
walking a narrow road imperfectly correct.
“Go in through the narrow gate,
because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it;
whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it." Matthew 7: 13, 14.
Remember: Mankind will gain what Adam lost:
Eternal life lived in a paradise
with loved ones cherished
and with health amazing.
PERFECT!
When we were enemies we became reconciled to God through the death of his Son.—Rom. 5:10.
This reconciliation enables us to be at peace with Jehovah. Paul links this privilege to Jehovah’s undeserved kindness, stating: “Now that we [Christ’s anointed brothers] have been declared righteous as a result of faith, let us enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained access by faith into this undeserved kindness in which we now stand.” (Rom. 5:1, 2) What a blessing this is! All of us are unrighteous by nature. But the prophet Daniel foretold that during the time of the end, “those having insight,” the anointed remnant, would be “bringing the many to righteousness.” (Dan. 12:3) By their preaching and teaching work, they have brought millions of “other sheep” into a righteous standing before Jehovah. (John 10:16) However, this has been possible only through Jehovah’s undeserved kindness.—Rom. 3:23, 24. w16.07 3:10, 11
*John 6:44
draws him: Although the Greek verb for “draw” is used in reference to hauling in a net of fish (Joh 21:6, 11), it does not suggest that God drags people against their will. This verb can also mean “to attract,” and Jesus’ statement may allude to Jer 31:3, where Jehovah said to his ancient people: “I have drawn you to me with loyal love.” (The Septuagint uses the same Greek verb here.) Joh 12:32 shows that in a similar way, Jesus draws men of all sorts to himself. The Scriptures show that Jehovah has given humans free will. Everyone has a choice when it comes to serving Him. (De 30:19, 20) God gently draws to himself those who have a heart that is rightly disposed. (Ps 11:5; Pr 21:2; Ac 13:48) Jehovah does so through the Bible’s message and through his holy spirit. The prophecy from Isa 54:13, quoted in Joh 6:45, applies to those who are drawn by the Father.—Compare Joh 6:65.
This reconciliation enables us to be at peace with Jehovah. Paul links this privilege to Jehovah’s undeserved kindness, stating: “Now that we [Christ’s anointed brothers] have been declared righteous as a result of faith, let us enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained access by faith into this undeserved kindness in which we now stand.” (Rom. 5:1, 2) What a blessing this is! All of us are unrighteous by nature. But the prophet Daniel foretold that during the time of the end, “those having insight,” the anointed remnant, would be “bringing the many to righteousness.” (Dan. 12:3) By their preaching and teaching work, they have brought millions of “other sheep” into a righteous standing before Jehovah. (John 10:16) However, this has been possible only through Jehovah’s undeserved kindness.—Rom. 3:23, 24. w16.07 3:10, 11
*John 6:44
draws him: Although the Greek verb for “draw” is used in reference to hauling in a net of fish (Joh 21:6, 11), it does not suggest that God drags people against their will. This verb can also mean “to attract,” and Jesus’ statement may allude to Jer 31:3, where Jehovah said to his ancient people: “I have drawn you to me with loyal love.” (The Septuagint uses the same Greek verb here.) Joh 12:32 shows that in a similar way, Jesus draws men of all sorts to himself. The Scriptures show that Jehovah has given humans free will. Everyone has a choice when it comes to serving Him. (De 30:19, 20) God gently draws to himself those who have a heart that is rightly disposed. (Ps 11:5; Pr 21:2; Ac 13:48) Jehovah does so through the Bible’s message and through his holy spirit. The prophecy from Isa 54:13, quoted in Joh 6:45, applies to those who are drawn by the Father.—Compare Joh 6:65.
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