| “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness” (Colossians 3:12). |
| “But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared … according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:4-5). |
| Kindness is spoken about many times in the Word of God, in both Old and New Testaments. The most important thing to notice about kindness is that it characterizes God Himself. It is He who showed kindness to us when we were lost in sin, and had no hope in this world. We had only a lost eternity ahead of us, but as a Savior God, He came to us in kindness and love, and saved us according to His mercy. Are we willing to follow His example in our actions with others? |
| In today’s world it is considered a good thing to be tough, and to “stick up for yourself.” It is considered quite acceptable to come back with rough language at someone who treats us wrongly, but we read in Proverbs 15:1 — “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” It is our privilege as Christians to show kindness, even to those who treat us badly, for once again, this is the spirit of Christ. |
| There is one thing more that we should remember. Sometimes those who may treat us badly may appear to be very tough on the outside, but often this is a “cover up” for weakness and insecurity inside. They may appear tough, but really they may be hurting inside, yet not wanting to admit it. If we show them kindness, often it will bring out the weakness, and we can ask the Lord to show us how to be a help to them. |
| When David became king, he wanted to show the “kindness of God” to any of the house of Saul, even though Saul had been his enemy. He wanted to do this for “Jonathan’s sake,” because Jonathan had been David’s good friend. See if you can find this account in the Old Testament. Ask the Lord to help you have a kind and loving spirit today! |
