Cross Kindness

1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
 
ALWAYS try to be kind to each other may seem to be a fairly simple command. Most people live with some element of kindness toward others. Yes, there are times when someone may insult us or threaten us. We certainly wouldn’t be kind to such people.
   But this kindness to an “enemy” is likely Paul’s focus here. Jesus said it this way: “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also… But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:39,44)
   Kindness toward our enemies, especially to the extent of loving them and praying for them seems impossible, impractical and even dangerous. After all we must defend ourselves. Yes, we should defend ourselves from physical violence against ourselves and others. Still, a Jesus-centered kindness, especially toward the church’s enemies, was crucial to the strength and development of the early church.
   We must always remember each church of the New Testament was under some form of persecution. As some Christians who live under persecution today, the early believers could be separated from their families. They could lose their jobs, suffer beatings, jail time or execution. For the Jews, they could not imagine the Messiah would teach love and prayer for enemies. They expected a true savior would lead Israel to rise in violent warfare.
   Kindness, though, is the way of the cross. The Father’s kindness has led to our salvation: Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Born in Adams’ sin nature, we are born enemies of God. Jesus’ suffering on the cross is God’s ultimate example of loving those who oppose us.
   This Christ-like kindness has opened the eyes for many of God’s enemies to be reconciled to Jesus. In the early years of the church, baby girls were often unwanted in Rome. Their parents would set them in a place to die. But Christians began to rescue the abandoned children. Eventually this murderous practice ended in the witness of God’s kindness and love. Kind Christians also tended to the sick when a plague infected Rome or other cities. Instead of fleeing the city as most did, Christians stayed to care for the sick. Jesus’ followers kindly loved their enemies because this was Jesus’ command and example. Modeling Jesus’ sacrificial love leads people to God’s salvation kindness.
   The same life-changing kindness occurs in persecuted countries today. Amid suffering and pain, even prison and torture, there are numerous testimonies of Christians responding with kindness toward their persecutors. Many times such acts will transform evil hearts into friends of Jesus.
   Kindness is easy when people are nice to you. But how do you show Jesus’ “cross Kindness” when people are unkind to you?