Paradox #RTTBROS #Nightlight

RTTBROS

The Paradox Eph 4:32 #Nightlight #RTTBROS The Paradox of Christian Kindness “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) Inscribed on the wall of a ministry to the broken, rejected untouchables in Calcutta India is this poem: Anyway Poem People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway. In a world where kindness is often met with skepticism, and sincerity with cynicism, it can be challenging to live out the Christian call to love and forgiveness. Yet, the poem by Kent M. Keith, though not scriptural, resonates with the teachings of Christ in its encouragement to persevere in goodness, regardless of the world’s response. As believers, we are called to a higher standard – one that mirrors the character of Christ. The poem echoes the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus taught us to love our enemies and do good without seeking reward (Matthew 5:44-46). This devotion is not about the immediate gratification of earthly approval but about the eternal perspective of pleasing God. The acts of kindness, honesty, and generosity mentioned in the poem are not means to an end but are ends in themselves. They are expressions of a heart transformed by God’s love, a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. When we forgive, show kindness, and continue to build despite opposition, we are not just acting in defiance of human nature; we are living out the divine nature bestowed upon us through Christ. In the end, our journey is not about the accolades or the acknowledgments from those around us. It is about our relationship with God. As the poem concludes, it’s between you and God – it was never between you and them anyway. This profound truth should liberate us to live boldly, love radically, and give generously, knowing that our reward is not in man’s recognition but in God’s affirmation. So let us take heart and be encouraged to “give the world the best we’ve got anyway,” for in doing so, we reflect the best of our Creator, who gave us His very best in Jesus Christ. Our Podcast, Blog and YouTube Links https://linktr.ee/rttbros Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros