“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:32
“Kind” is from a Greek word meaning kind, good, benevolent, not harsh, sharp, or burdensome. Compassionate means tender-hearted and empathetic.
So be benevolent and not sharp and be tender-hearted and empathetic to each other. Freely give undeserved grace and pardon, just as God gave you grace and pardon when you didn’t deserve it.
Who of us hasn’t needed mercy and empathy? Who hasn’t needed kind words and forgiveness? Who hasn’t been grateful when we’ve received such love and kindness? Remember the relief you felt. Remember the weight of your burden being lifted. Remember the engulfing love that wrapped around you.
Go. Be compassionate. Give love. Be kind. Give undeserved forgiveness. Even to the people who curse you and make your life hard. Remember, God graciously gave you mercy and undeserved forgiveness and love. “Have this mind in you that was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5-11).
