Undeserved kindness

Too wet, too dry; too hot or too cold – it seems that the weather always gives us something to complain about… However, rain and sunshine come out of God’s hand, who gives not just to the good and righteous, but also to the evil and unrighteous (Matthew 5:45)! God indeed loves even his enemies, those who hate him, ignore him, and disobey his laws (5:44). And by nature, we’re all in that category!

What undeserved kindness! Given by the God who promised in the covenant with Noah that “as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22).In a world under the curse of sin, this covenant provides the context in which God unfolds his plan of salvation, saving a great multitude from sin and death to righteousness and life.

How do we – once enemies but now God’s children – respond to God’s ‘common love’ (common grace)? Paul wrote in Romans 1:20-21: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made [and how he’s cared for it ever since!], so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him…”

If we know God’s saving grace and love, through faith in Jesus Christ, we rightly thank God for all he’s given us in the gospel. But let’s not forget the daily care and blessings! From the weather to the greater things in life, let’s “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And shall we then also love those around us as God does, with undeserved kindness?

Klaas-Jan Gunnink