An Undeserved Kindness

An Undeserved Kindness

Read: Luke 6:31-36

“He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

Luke 6:35

“Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, and learning.”

—Frederick Faber

IN WORD The Bible is clear in its assessment of the human heart: It is wicked. It seeks its own good above all else, it tries to hide its secrets from God, it harbors evil attitudes against others, and it cultivates bitterness when wronged. Most of all, it does not worship God unless His Spirit enables it. Our upbringing helps us cover up our natural inclinations, but we know how we were before we met Christ. Salvation reversed the tide for us, but the seeds of corruption are always available for cultivation.

While we all have evil in our hearts by our nature as sinful human beings, there are those in this world who do an exceptional job of displaying it. Most of us want to do good and to behave respectfully and kindly toward others. But we invariably encounter those who seem to have no conscience about themselves, and even seem to enjoy their selfish wills. When we are wronged by them, we are left standing with nothing but the gospel to guide our response. Will we let it?

Of all the people in this world, Jesus was treated most unjustly. Perfect innocence was ravaged by the utterly corrupt. What was His response? He stood for truth and suffered the consequences. But He never retaliated or fought. Never. And He calls us to be like Him.

IN DEED How do we respond when we are wronged? Are we appalled at the evil in others’ hearts? We can’t afford to be; the same seeds are within us. Do we retaliate in like manner? We violate the command of Jesus if we do, and we sink to their level. Do we seethe with resentment toward them? Again, we disobey Jesus if we do, and our attitude harms only ourselves.

What, then, is the appropriate response? Jesus tells us to love our enemies, even to do good to them and lend to them. How this grates on our old nature and attacks our pride! But this is exactly what He did with us, and His heart’s desire is for us to be like Him. Will we? See your injustices as a chance to prove His gospel. Be kind to the ungrateful and wicked.