Humble And Kind

“Hate no one, no matter how much they’ve wronged you. Live humbly, no matter how wealthy you become. Think positively, no matter how hard life is. Give much, even if you’ve been given little. Forgive all, especially yourself. And never stop praying the best for everyone.”

- Unknown

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

- St. Peter, 1 Peter 3:9

St. Peter is writing to a group of young churches seeking to navigate their newfound faith amid the godless society in which they live. They are the outsiders, and regardless of how hard they try to fit in and get along, the society in which they live does not always understand them… nor are they necessarily eager to embrace them.

It is much like our world today. Christianity, once a mainstay of our culture, is now seen as the adversary. As Pastor Jared once said, “The church is no longer the home team.” We are now the visiting team, and the hometown fans are not always friendly toward us and our way of thinking.

We, too, are seeking to navigate our faith in the midst of a world that does not agree with or even accept our values and beliefs.

So, what is to be our response?

Peter lays it out very clearly. Our response is not to push back and make waves, to create friction and tension with the culture and society in which we live. Our belief in Jesus accomplishes enough of that on its own. We need not exacerbate the issue, rubbing salt in the wound, by being abrasive and confrontational.

Instead, Peter exhorts us to be compassionate and humble, and to repay any evil toward us with blessing.

As we have learned throughout this sermon series, we are blessed to be a blessing to others.

We are to live in this world in such a way that those around us are unable to find fault with us, where they see our good deeds and glorify our father in Heaven.

As the great theologian, Tim McGraw, sings:

Don’t expect a free ride from no one

Don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why

Bitterness keeps you from flying

Always stay humble and kind

Hold the door, say please, say thank you

Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie

I know you got mountains to climb

But always stay humble and kind

We, as Christ-followers in the 21st century, face challenges unlike any we have faced before. But, we have the privilege, and yes, even the responsibility, to represent Jesus in such a way that we are not offensive, but exhibit love of another kind. It is a love that can only come from a close relationship with Jesus… a love that knows no boundaries, a love that never hates, a love that forgives, a love that works for the best of others, always putting their needs ahead of our own.

It is a love that is humble and kind.

Pastor Ken

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