“When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us…” (Titus 3:4). “He (God) is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35). “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).
Heavenly Father, this waterfall of “kindness verses” is shocking, encouraging, and convicting. The breadth of your kindness is as broad as the rivers of your grace—from the banks of “ingratitude” to the shoreline of “wickedness.” This doesn’t mean you are indifferent to “wickedness.” It means even the wicked aren’t beyond the reach of redemption.
It also means there’s no such thing as “mere” ingratitude. To live thanklessly before you is to live presumptively and small-heartedly. Father, forgive us. And also help us take more seriously than ever our calling to be kind to one another—just as you are kind towards us in Jesus.
When did we start taking offense quicker than we give mercy? How did our “heart-skin” get so thin and our anger-triggers so “hair-trigger-ish”? Why is it easier for us to remember how others have hurt and failed us than to remember and relish the riches of your grace?
Father, help us pull up the roots of bitterness and resentment we’ve allowed to take root in our hearts (Heb. 12:15). In some cases, we’ve actually poured Miracle Grow on them. Make getting low to wash feet more our instinct than staying “sassy” to get even. Not forgiving it not a Gospel-option.
Thaw our “chilly” attitudes, humble our haughty hearts, supersize our thankfulness. You know our situations which make being kind complicated and confusing. We can trust you there, and everywhere. So Very Amen.