In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul lays out some ways in which we should interact with our fellow believers. One is, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph 4:32). Notice that it's one sentence and, therefore, one thought. Be kind. By that we mean be tenderhearted. That looks like forgiving each other. How? As you have been forgiven. A singular idea.
It seems to be a foreign idea to us sometimes. Why? Think of it backward. The "kind" that Paul is writing about is forgiveness. That is, be kind to people who have wronged you in some way. First and foremost, forgive them. Easier said than done. "Be kind to people who have wronged us? By forgiving them? That's not natural." No, it's not. It's the product of a forgiven person. "As God in Christ forgave you." The wrong is acknowledged, not ignored. This "forgiveness" isn't "Oh, that's okay. It wasn't that bad." It's "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20). (It's interesting in that text that it says Joseph "comforted them and spoke kindly to them" (Gen 50:21).) Our own forgiveness should produce a tender heart. "I know. I've been there. I've done wrong. I've needed forgiveness." This kind of forgiveness is self-less -- setting self aside. Instead, it seeks to be kind.
Imagine that. Imagine what it would look like if we, as followers of Christ, made a practice of showing kindness by forgiving those who wrong us. Imagine what the world would see if we embraced those who abused us and said, "I forgive you." Imagine the impact on individuals, on groups, on onlookers. But, we're humans, and that kind of kindness -- predicated on forgiveness -- is foreign. Unless, of course, it's someone who has been forgiven much (Luke 7:47).
2 comments:
For those that have not been forgiven of their sins, it makes sense that forgiveness would not come easily to them. When we are quick to forgive, we prove the forgiveness that has been given to us.
The more clearly we see our offensiveness before a holy God and the grace that has been poured out on us in spite of it, the easier it is for us to be ready to extend that love and forgiveness to others. “Love is kind” (1 Cor. 13:4). As a fruit of the Spirit, kindness is produced in us as the Holy Spirit leads us to imitate Jesus. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” If the perfectly sinless One forgave His offenders, then I can, too. May I be that kind of person--one who is that kind to others.
Post a Comment