In an age where cruelty is common, kindness is courageous. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). We live in a time when our culture is moving away from kindness. “Owning the libs” is something many on the right want to do, regardless of whether or not they are factually correct. In addition to disrespecting one’s political opponents, disrespecting people from different countries (think of all the anti-Asian hate in the US in recent years, or more recently, Haitians) is now accepted. On the left, there is terrible disrespect for those who don’t tow the LGBTQ, anti-racist line. This can include disrespect for Christians.
Rev. Budde from the National Cathedral in Washington, DC has taken heat from fellow pastors for her calling on President Trump to be merciful towards those who live in fear of his policies. The late Rev. Timothy Keller was accused of being “too winsome” for today’s modern challenges.
Jesus didn’t put an expiration date on kindness. Nor did He ever tell Christians to seek power. Turning the other cheek and the “golden rule” are what should describe His Church; regardless of whatever political environment we find ourselves in.
Believers are the beneficiaries of God’s great mercy. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We who have joyfully received the mercy Christ offers, how can we then deny kindness to others? Christians who have turned their back on kindness have turned their back on Jesus Himself. It makes me wonder who they really worship. Luke 6:36 says, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Can the Bible be any more clear?
