“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” Titus 3:4-5
God's Kindness Is Not Earned, It's Who He Is
When I first heard about God's kindness, it seemed too good to be true. Maybe you've wondered the same thing. Somewhere along the way, we pick up the idea that God's kindness must be earned or deserved. That if we're good enough, faithful enough, or sorry enough, God will finally give us a little kindness. But God's kindness, the kind that's stronger than our doubts or failures, can't be earned or lost. It's who God is.
Understanding that God is kind is the truth that can change your relationship with God if you let it settle in: God does not require you to pay a price to unlock His kindness. You can't bargain for it, perform your way into it, or ever be "enough" for it. God's kindness is His nature. It's as much a part of Him as light is to the sun. Just as you can't stop the sun from shining by holding up your hand, you can't stop God from being kind, no matter how broken, weary, or rebellious you are.
God's kindness is loyal, steadfast, and unbreakable. It stays, even when we do not. God isn't a split personality. He doesn't love you on Sunday and judge you on Monday. His kindness isn't a mood He happens to be in on your good days. It's who He is, always and everywhere. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make Him love you less.
Kindness isn't a reward for the religiously successful. It's grace, pure, undeserved favor. That's why Paul writes that God "commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." The cross is not a place where God's wrath drowns out His mercy, but where God's kindness runs deeper than our shame. It's where God's covenant love stoops lower than our worst failures and carries us home.
Most of us have no problem believing God is strong or that He's in charge. The real test comes when you're hurt, lonely, or have failed for the fiftieth time. That's when it matters most to remember: God isn't standing over you with a scowl. He's stooping beside you with a smile. He's not waiting to pounce. He's waiting to pick you up.
If the God who knows everything about you can be kind, maybe you can start watching for the quiet, everyday gifts: the sunrise after a hard night, a friend's timely encouragement, a Scripture that meets you right where you are. That's not random. That's God's kindness, tucked into the ordinary details of your life.
Kindness is never something God withholds because you fell short. It's not something you experience when you have a string of good days or the right attitude. His kindness is who He is.
Receive the kindness that you can't earn, and never lose. Let it soften the edges of shame and striving. God's kindness is not just an idea to believe. It's a reality to live from, every single day.
What would it change if you really believed God can't love you any less on your worst day or any more on your best?
Next time, we'll see that God's kindness isn't weakness. It's holy strength love that moves to rescue, heal, and transform.