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Instead, be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32, LSB

Kindness is a choice. It is this choice that our Lord calls us to take, just as He calls us to compassion. He has chosen us who believe in Him, and with His choosing, we receive His compassion and steadfast love. Our world is more apt to choose offense and anger. We will choose to hate those who disagree with us and desire the destruction of our enemies. God calls us to live and act differently. Instead of choosing the darkness, He calls us into His light and desires us to choose to be gracious to those who wish to hate us and have compassion on those with whom we disagree. We are called to forgive those who wrong us and offer kindness instead of vitriol. It is ironic when we see people put up signs, “Love not Hate,” and do so next to a sign that speaks of hating or doing hateful things to a person with whom they disagree. Our world is twisted up in hate, and some will even misuse our Lord Jesus Christ to justify their hatred and celebrate the killing of those whom they direct their hatred. As followers of Christ, we are called to be different as we offer forgiveness for those purveyors of falsehood and hatred and seek to live and lead others into our Lord’s peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.