‘His Kindness Toward Us’

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7

Kindness is the practical outflowing of grace.  Our text for today associates these two things together as a practical cause and effect.  God demonstrates grace to us by showing us kindness.  That kindness which He shows us is ‘in Christ Jesus.’  Of what does that kindness consist?  The previous verses in the passage help us to arrive at the conclusion.  ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.’ God has ‘raised us up’ and has ‘made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus’ to the purpose that ‘He might show the exceeding riches of grace in His kindness toward us.’  Our text remarks that He will show this kindness ‘in the ages to come.’  This leads us to the conclusion that only eternity will reveal the height, depth, length, breadth, and strength of this kindness.  This kindness is ‘in Christ Jesus.’ Christ declared how this kindness would look.  He indicated that it would involve being in His Presence.  He articulated that it would involve a permanent dwelling place for us.  The rest of the New Testament, as written by men like Peter, Paul, and John, flesh out the way this ‘kindness’ will manifest itself in our becoming like Christ, with glorified body, and perfect character.  All these things and more are the effects of ‘His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.’

Our Kind and Gracious God,
we rejoice at how generous You have been to us.
We praise You that all that You have begun, You will complete,
and that we shall be like Christ.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning