When the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us— not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy. —Titus 3:4–5
Responding with gentleness and goodness to those who dislike or even hate us. Doing good for those who would do us harm. That’s a prospect that can tie our stomach in knots.
But if it weren’t for Christ showing kindness to us, not one of us would have a single blessing to our name. We would simply be God’s enemies, with no hope of anything except His righteous wrath and just judgment.
Even those of us who came to know Him as young children, at our core, were disobedient, malicious, and hateful. So how did God treat us? He showed us kindness and love (Titus 3:4–5).
His kindness toward us wasn’t based on how we treated Him or on any worthiness in us. Likewise, the kindness we’re to show to others isn’t conditional on their behavior. Rather it’s an expression of the kindness we’ve received from Christ, flowing through us to others.
Even to our enemies.
------------------
Adorned: Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together ©2017 Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
What might it look like if your response toward your enemies reflected the blessing Christ poured out on you while still His enemy?