The Paradox of Unfair Kindness
When we’re asked to love our enemies, lend to those who won’t repay us, and show kindness to the ungrateful and wicked, our sense of justice and fairness is turned upside down. It’s natural to wonder if Jesus is serious about this. What could be the point of such seemingly irrational behavior?
A Reflection of God’s Nature
I believe Jesus is trying to reveal something profound about ourselves. We often assume we’re God’s friends, that we always pay back what we borrow, and that we’re grateful and holy. But is that really the case? Don’t we struggle to understand why God would ask us to be kind to those who don’t deserve it?
A Humbling Reality Check
The truth is, there’s little difference between the most ungrateful, wicked people and ourselves. We should be deeply grateful that God is “unfair” in His mercy towards us, because otherwise, there would be no hope for us. Jesus drives this point home in the next verse: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful [to you].” And then He adds, “Do not judge and you will not be judged.”
A New Perspective
When we see things from this perspective, everything changes. We’re called to love our enemies and show kindness to those who, like us, have received God’s kindness undeservedly. If we’re tempted to think God is unfair, we should rejoice in the glorious inequity of His grace, which has made room for us despite our shortcomings. In the same spirit of “unfairness,” we should make room in our hearts for others.
Embracing the Inequity of Grace
By doing so, we’ll come to understand that God’s kindness is not based on our worthiness, but on His boundless mercy. We’ll learn to appreciate the unfairness of His grace, which has given us a second chance. And in return, we’ll be able to extend that same grace to others, creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion that can change the world.
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