The Kindness That Changes Everything / Guest Post by Josh Sherley

November 27th, 2025
by Josh Sherley

Romans 2:4 — “Or 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?”

Have you ever taken a moment to really think about the power of this verse? Over the last few months I have, and it continues to blow my mind...and here's why.

This verse is completely counterintuitive. My rational mind would think that God's law and harsher punishment is what will make people change their way and ultimately repent. In fact, this kind of thinking has even shaped some of my parenting. Increasing the severity of the punishment until I get the change in the behavior that I desire. But I think at the root of it...it's just that. A change in behavior, but not a change in heart.

God's grace and kindness is ultimately what changes a heart and transforms lives! It is His kindness, His forbearance and His patience that is meant to lead men to repentance!

So now the all-important question is, "Have I experienced His grace and kindness that has changed my life?" I strongly believe that most people are taking the riches of God's kindness, forbearance and patience for granted. Unfortunately, many people are like the 9 lepers who experienced grace and the kindness of Jesus, but never came back to worship and praise Him!

Luke 17:11-19 "While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”

All 10 men received grace and the kindness of Jesus, but unfortunately only one Samaritan man was truly changed by the grace he experienced. May we be the ones who don’t just experience God’s kindness, but respond to it. May we be the people who return, fall at His feet, give Him glory, and allow His grace to transform our hearts—not just our behavior.

Because when we fully receive His kindness, it leads us to true repentance, deep gratitude, and a life of wholehearted devotion to our King.

Josh Sherley is a former California State Wrestling Champion and Fresno State Football athlete. Most recently, he has left a successful marketplace career in Commercial Real Estate to be one of the Regional Directors with Influencers Bakersfield, a Christian Ministry focused on empowering people to abide in Christ. Josh loves Jesus, sports, and he also serves as a Board Member with Pure Encouragement.