“But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us  —not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy  — through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The verses preceding today’s verse discuss how followers of Jesus are to live and behave in the world. In sum, be different by being kind.

It’s a sad thing to say that being kind is abnormal. But it’s true. My human nature’s primary goal is meeting my needs. It doesn’t ask me to consider others, but Jesus does. He said, “Be different. Be kind.”

Today’s verse gives me the why and the how of that command.

Why should I be kind?

Because God was kind to me. He gave me the gift of forgiveness, belonging, and love when I didn’t ask for it and didn’t deserve it. Because of that, my gratitude bubbles up and overflows to others in my life who probably don’t deserve my kindness any more than I deserved God’s.

How can I be kind in such an unkind world?

That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. I was reborn as a new creature when I accepted Jesus. This new creature has the Holy Spirit in addition to my human nature. The Holy Spirit reminds me what is good and right and kind. Human nature continues its whining, but if I spend more time listening to the Holy Spirit, the constant droning demands of my human nature become easier to tune out and ignore. Kindness comes easier and easier with practice.

Dear God,

Thank you for your undeserved kindness and love. Help me to attune my ear to the Holy Spirit and to obey. Teach me to push aside the inane and selfish demands of my human nature. Help me practice turning my desire for retaliation into forgiveness, my selfishness into generosity, my bitterness into kindness, my suspicion into loving vulnerability.