Are You Kind?

Kindness is something in which every person can improve and grow; judging from the New Testament’s words on the subject, God plainly intends it to be a common characteristic of His saints. Kindness does NOT “come naturally” for everyone, and it is especially hard to extend kindness to some folks. When someone knowingly lives a wicked life, Christians can be sorely challenged to show them much kindness; but such is our responsibility, Colossians 3:12. In Ephesians 4:32, Paul instructs us to “… be ye kind one to another,….”

KINDNESS is not a sign of “weakness” or some sort of a character flaw. In the new testament, the word “kindness” means usefulness, moral excellence (in character or demeanor), or gentleness. In Ephesians 4:32, it describes being “usefully employed, in that which is good and gracious.” When we read that God is kind, He is telling us that His actions toward us are good for us, useful, to the saving of our souls. His exceedingly rich grace to man is demonstrated by His kindness toward us through Christ, Ephesians 2:7. Nowhere does the Bible equate kindness with being weak, or backward, or ashamed of one’s faith!

The Bible shows us that KINDNESS is one of the essential qualities of God; When we cultivate it in ourselves, we become more like Him! Kindness is shown in many ways;

• Jesus said “…love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;…”(Luke 6:35).
• Paul described some non-Christians as “kind” in Acts 28:2 because they “kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.”

Kindness is associated in the scriptures with;

• purity, knowledge, patience, and genuine love, 2 Corinthians 6:6.
• tenderheartedness, and a forgiving spirit, Ephesians 4:32.
• compassion, humility, and meekness, Colossians 3:12.

These are all qualities which God displays in His dealings with us; to be more like Him, we should begin by copying His KINDNESS. This means being the servants of one another, and considering each other above ourselves (as in Philippians 2:3).

Kindness has a very practical application, right in our own daily lives; it is the “oil” which soothes and smoothes human relations. Paul wrote that the Roman Christians should “(Be) kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” (Romans 12:10). Kindness is easily recognized as an outward proof of love, for “Love suffereth long, (and) is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” (1 Corinthians 13:4). We know that a kind word, at the right moment, can often ease the sorrow of this life; Solomon wrote that, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver”(Proverbs 25:11).

Every Christian should encourage and cultivate the quality of kindness, both in ourselves and in each other. This is the will of God, and learning to be kind will make us more like Him. Sometimes it is very hard to be kind, and it may require a very determined effort because some folks aren’t very lovable; but the burden lies on us to be kind, not on the “other fellow” to be lovable (just remember Romans 5:8). If you want to come more closely into God’s image, then show a little kindness, just as He has!                                                                                                                   Eric