Ellen Degeneres has a lesson for us. Yes, that Ellen Degeneres, gay, Hollywood liberal (by her own definition). If you haven’t heard, she went to a Dallas Cowboys game back on October 6 at the invitation of the daughter of owner Jerry Jones. She sat in his luxury suite with, among other people, George and Laura Bush. For that, she took criticism from those in her tribe: “How could you sit with a Republican president?” Reminds me of the reaction that Peter got upon returning to Jerusalem after his God-directed visit to the Roman Centurion Cornelius:

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11.2, 3, ESV)

Her response is worth watching, especially for the bottom line:

When I say, be kind to one another, I don’t mean only the people that think the same way that you do. I mean, be kind to everyone.

I wrote yesterday that we who follow Jesus need to be known by something other than what we’re against. We should be known by our kindness as was the dry cleaner I wrote about last week. We should be characterized by Holy Moments. We should have friends with whom we don’t completely agree. Ellen has given us a good example.

[Jesus said, ] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matthew 5.43 – 47, ESV)

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12.17, 18, ESV)

The kindness of God leads to repentance. (Romans 2.4, ESV)

The fruit of the Spirit is…kindness… (Galatians 5.22)