Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

God has forgiven us so much, and shown far more kindness toward us than we could ever deserve. We need to learn to treat other people, even those who don't deserve it, with the same kindness that we've been shown. Obviously, we'll never come close to matching what Christ did for us. And we'll fail plenty of the time at showing kindness to others because we're imperfect and flawed and it's totally opposite our nature to treat others well when they've done us wrong. But yet that's what we're called to do, even though it may sound crazy or impossible. And by God's grace, we can be different from what people expect and be an example to non-believers of Who Jesus is. We'll never get it perfect. But un-believers will notice that we have something they don't if they see that we genuinely care and are striving to be kind.

Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."

This verse definitely demonstrates this important fruit of the spirit. Even though showing love to people who have only ever hated us or treated us terribly may never seem to change them or make a difference, it's still something we need to do. We have to turn the other cheek rather than turning around and treating them the same way. And that takes a whole lot of love and kindness to repay evil with good. 1 Peter 3:9 also demonstrates this. It says, "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."


Proverbs 11:17 "A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself."

According to this verse, we're going to be miserable if we're cruel and uncaring toward others. We're going to end up hurting ourselves. But if we learn to show kindness and compassion toward other people, you'll find it's well worth it. Often a person that you invest in and help, will later turn around and help you when you need someone to be there for you.

Galatians 6:10 says, "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

We especially need to support fellow believers. We weren't meant to go through life alone. We are meant to help each other, care about each other, and love each other. We're the body of Christ, which makes us a huge spiritual family. And we need to stick together and help each other out, especially when one of us is hurting.

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

God may want you to hurt along with someone else, to talk with them through their struggles, or just be there for them as a friend who cares. It takes a lot of love to care that much. To let you heart hurt for someone else. But that's what God asks us to do, and it's well worth it.

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

It's not just through the good times when we're to show kindness and be a friend. It's when a friend is down when they need us most. It really shows whether or not we care if we're willing to get involved in their lives and give of ourselves to help them through their tough times.

1 John 3:18 "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

We can't just say that we care. Our actions will determine the truth. Most people can tell if you really care and are genuinely concerned and want to be there for them no matter what, or if you're just being a friend for what you can get out of the relationship or because you feel obligated to support them but don't really want to. Don't tell someone you care if you don't mean it. Loving a friend with Christ's love means that it doesn't matter what it takes, you'll always be there for them to help them through Christ's strength.

Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Again, we need to help each other. Show kindness by listening when someone is weighed down under a burden, no matter what it is. And if you can, help them through it. Bear it along with them so they won't get too weak and fall with no one around who cares enough to help. We not only need to help each other through difficult times, but also constantly build each other up. Encourage each other. And if a friend falls, pull them back up.

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." And that verse really sums up what kindness is.


JPK