Summer Fruit Devotion: Kindness Day 1

Kindness Saves

“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. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Titus 3:4-8

Most Christians understand we are saved by grace, but I think sometimes we have a tendency to see it as grudging grace, as if God were doing us a favor by saving us, as if he is reluctant to save. First, Paul tells the Ephesians that God shows the “immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ,” then later he tells Titus “when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.” That means our salvation came through Jesus, who is the goodness and loving kindness of God incarnate. Friends, if we are to have any reason to show kindness to anyone else, we have to be confident in God’s kindness towards us. God’s showed that kindness to us by sending Jesus when we were absolutely undeserving. God wants us to show his kindness to everyone in our lives, especially the undeserving because they are the ones who need it most. This is definitely a work of the Spirit in us and part of the “good works” we have been saved to.

Journal time. Paul tells Titus to “insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.” I’m sure you’ve heard of “random acts of kindness,” but God’s kindness isn’t random. I want to challenge you to write down some ways you can show intentional kindness, and even loving kindness, to someone who doesn’t deserve but desperately needs it. How can you “devote” yourself to kindness?

Pray with me today. Heavenly Father thank you that even when we were dead you sent your loving kindness, Jesus, to save us. In a world of selfish rudeness help us to shine your light by being kind. We try so hard to teach this to our kids then fail to cultivate it in ourselves. The world owes us nothing, and you owe us nothing, but you gave us everything, even your own Son. Help us to meditate on your kindness so that it fuels our kindness. Renew us with your Holy Spirit so we can walk in the good works you have prepared for us. In the kind and merciful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.