Day 12
The Heart of Kindness
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:1-9
I grew up in Mississippi. Part of growing up in the Deep South meant often hearing the phrase “bless their hearts.” It was a way of reminding us to be nice to someone who may not be making the best decisions or to someone whom we just don’t like. But I quickly learned that niceness was surface level. It was often simply a social transaction—a way of quickly looking past someone with whom we didn’t want to engage. We often use kindness and niceness interchangeably, as if they’re the same words with slightly different meanings. However, whereas niceness is at the surface level, kindness comes from a place of empathy and deep care for someone.
At the beginning of Ephesians 2, Paul describes who we were before Christ: We were selfish—the spiritually walking dead; we only cared about ourselves. We were “following the prince of the power of the air.” Eugene Peterson writes that we “filled our lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience,” (The Message). Before Christ, nothing within us separated us from the world. Then, the life-changing words, “But God.” Because of God’s great love for His people, He provides a way to Himself. A way out of the selfishness in which we were living. He sent Jesus. And this act of love for us was not a one-time thing, a passing emotion, or a social transaction. How do we know this?
“…..so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (v. 7).
It is because of the kindness of God that He sent His Son, Jesus, to make a way for all of us. And while Jesus had to die only once to save us from our sins, His death and resurrection cover our sins now and will forever cover the sins of future generations who make Christ Savior.
And because of the kindness of God, we are compelled to extend kindness to a watching world around us. Paul goes on to compel us a few chapters later to ”be kind to one another…forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).
Can one be kind without Christ? Absolutely. But without Christ, our kindness points to ourselves and our nature. With Jesus, our kindness points to Him.
FURTHER REFLECTION:
Reflect on the kindness of God toward you. Do you recall your life before Christ? Remember that God loves you and shows His mercy towards you. Because of God’s love, if you call Him Savior, you are alive in Christ today!
In the coming weeks, can you build a habit of finding ways to turn your niceness into kindness? Can you find three people with whom you encounter weekly who need to be shown kindness?
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for Your immeasurable kindness toward me. When I was dead in my sin, You made me alive through Christ. Your mercy has saved me, and Your love has transformed me. Help me to reflect Your kindness in my relationships, to forgive as You have forgiven me, and to serve as You have served. May Your kindness flow through me today, so that others may see Your goodness and be drawn to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 4, Romans 11-12
by Matt Brashier