Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Karma, it’s a word that is part of a phrase that we sometimes like to throw around when someone does something unkind. Or, ‘what goes around comes around,’ is another popular phrase. There is an expectation or at least a great hope that when someone hurts us or someone we love deeply, that the individual will face some sort of retribution. There is a hope that they will be inflicted with the same amount of misery they inflicted on their victim, if not more.
The same can be said about kindness. There is sometimes an expectation that when we are kind to others, we will be met with kindness and generosity in return. We want karma to play in our favor.
This is the real world, though. This is a fallen world full of sin. And, this world is filled with human beings that are saturated with sin. It’s to our great disappointment that most of the time, karma doesn’t get her way. The terrible person who has cheated the system seems to be winning at life, and the incredibly kind person who sacrifices a lot for others is smeared. It doesn’t seem fair.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives …do good anyway.
In a culture where ‘kindness matters,’ and yet it seems as if there is more and more bitterness, unforgiveness, and divide, kindness can come off as manipulative to an individual who has their guard up. It feels as if we have started building our own walls to protect against getting cancelled. Kindness feels too risky. Motives are questioned. Our culture is untrusting, hurting, and too fearful of being ostracized. Our faith calls for us to be kind, to show goodness, and mercy despite the reaction of others. We don’t show kindness and then expect that the kindness is returned. Verse after verse in the Bible calls us to continue to show that love and mercy over and over again.
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.” Luke 6:35
“And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it is said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:40-43
This feels impossible! How do we keep showing this goodness, kindness, and compassion over and over again to those who question our motives, show us ill-will, hurt us, or talk badly about us behind our backs? Achieving this is only impossible when you rely on your own human strength. We are not God. We are not perfect. We did not die to forgive someone’s sin. That was Jesus! We absolutely, positively have to rely on the Trinity to live a life of humility, a humility that requires us to be the hands and feet of Jesus…especially to our own personal ‘Judas.’ It’s impossible to rely on our own understanding because that is very limited. However, it is possible to rely on the infinite wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and it’s through our reliance on Him, that we can continue to show kindness in the face of persecution. Today, and over the next week, choose one of the verses above to mull over. Use the contemplative prayer worksheet to help you break down the verse and study it more in-depth. Think about ways you can rely on the Lord to show kindness and mercy in the face of personal adversity brought on by another.
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