Another great characteristic of God's love is Kindness (1 Cor. 13:4)
Jesus is kind. While he was on this earth he was kind to those around him. His first miracle mentioned in the gospel was to turn water into wine at a wedding. On another occasion when he was walking through town he noticed a very unpopular tax collector, by the name of Zacchaeus, who was sitting up in a tree. Jesus told him to come down from there because he wanted to dine with him at his house. And then another time, He showed kindness and compassion to an older woman who had just touched them hem of his coat so she could be healed of her sickness. He patiently and lovingly listened to her as she told him her story. And then, beyond that, Jesus called her "daughter". "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace." - (Matt. 9:22)
When we think of Jesus, we think of his power, passion and devotion, but those who know God, know that he comes draped in kindness.
Nehemiah agrees:
David agrees:
Paul spoke of "the kindness and love of God our Savior"
God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it.
Jesus invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 offers the sweetest proof of kindness:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Lucado uses this example to illustrate this point:
Jesus carries many of our burdens...not only the burden of our sin, shame and eternal debt, but he also lifts our fears before we feel them; he carries our confusion so we wouldn't have to; and those times when we were surprised with a sense of peace during hard times....could it have been that Jesus lifted our fear and anxiety onto his shoulders and placed a yoke of kindness upon ours.
We do not thank him enough for the kindness he has given to us, and yet our ungratefulness does not restrict him from continuing to be kind to us.
Isn't kindness good and good for us? Pleasant and practical? Kindness not only says, "Good morning, but it also makes the coffee and makes a person feel appreciated and loved. Doesn't Jesus fit this description? He not only attended the wedding, he rescued it. He not only healed the sick woman, he honored her. He not only called Zacchaeus by his name, but he went into his house and dined with him.
And for us, he helps us out of jams, he comes into our house, and he has never been too busy to listen to what is on our hearts.
God is always kind to us. And since he is kind to us, can't we be kind to others?
Some people, especially men, tend to think that the virtue of kindness is wimpy. They tend to value more dramatic virtues like courage, devotion and leadership. But God doesn't think this way
What about at work? Is there a person who is usually over-looked or avoided...a grumpy employee....maybe they don't fit in...are we kind to this person?
"Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor's trash can that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at church. They understnad that perhaps the neediest person they'll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting in the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: 'When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers' - Gal. 6:10"
How kind are we to our enemies? What if they want and take what we have? What would happen if we were kind to our competitors or enemies? Maybe the boss would fire you or your spouse leave you. What would happen if we surprised them with kindness? It wouldn't be easy and would take a lot of humlity. Mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness.
We are to be kind to everyone: family, friends, co-workers, strangers, church members, enemies...this pretty much includes everyone...right? There is still someone who needs your kindness. Do we need to be kind to ourselves?
Jesus is kind to us? Did he scorn the couple for not planning ahead? Did he punish Zacchaeus for taking advantage of his friends and being self-serving? Was he hard on the woman with the disease? No. He is kind to the forgetful, greedy and to the sick. And he is kind to us. God knows everything about you, yet he doesn't hold back his kindness towards you. He has, despite knowing all of our secrets, remained faithful, merciful and gracious to us. He forgives our faults, so why can't we do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living, he believes in you enough to call you his ambassador, his follower and child. Can we take a cue from him and believe in ourselves?
"Be kind to yourself. God thinks you're worth his kindness. And he is a good judge of character."
Jesus is kind. While he was on this earth he was kind to those around him. His first miracle mentioned in the gospel was to turn water into wine at a wedding. On another occasion when he was walking through town he noticed a very unpopular tax collector, by the name of Zacchaeus, who was sitting up in a tree. Jesus told him to come down from there because he wanted to dine with him at his house. And then another time, He showed kindness and compassion to an older woman who had just touched them hem of his coat so she could be healed of her sickness. He patiently and lovingly listened to her as she told him her story. And then, beyond that, Jesus called her "daughter". "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace." - (Matt. 9:22)
When we think of Jesus, we think of his power, passion and devotion, but those who know God, know that he comes draped in kindness.
Nehemiah agrees:
David agrees:
Paul spoke of "the kindness and love of God our Savior"
God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it.
8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;"
Jesus invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 offers the sweetest proof of kindness:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Lucado uses this example to illustrate this point:
Jesus carries many of our burdens...not only the burden of our sin, shame and eternal debt, but he also lifts our fears before we feel them; he carries our confusion so we wouldn't have to; and those times when we were surprised with a sense of peace during hard times....could it have been that Jesus lifted our fear and anxiety onto his shoulders and placed a yoke of kindness upon ours.
We do not thank him enough for the kindness he has given to us, and yet our ungratefulness does not restrict him from continuing to be kind to us.
In the original language, the word for kindness carries an added idea that the English word does not. Mainly it refers to an "act of grace", but also, it refers to a deed or person who is "useful, serviceable, adapted to its purpose." Kindness was also used to describe food that tasted good and was healthy at the same time.
Isn't kindness good and good for us? Pleasant and practical? Kindness not only says, "Good morning, but it also makes the coffee and makes a person feel appreciated and loved. Doesn't Jesus fit this description? He not only attended the wedding, he rescued it. He not only healed the sick woman, he honored her. He not only called Zacchaeus by his name, but he went into his house and dined with him.
And for us, he helps us out of jams, he comes into our house, and he has never been too busy to listen to what is on our hearts.
God is always kind to us. And since he is kind to us, can't we be kind to others?
Kindness leads people to repentance from ungodliness, rebellion, sin and from being unkind towards others.
Some people, especially men, tend to think that the virtue of kindness is wimpy. They tend to value more dramatic virtues like courage, devotion and leadership. But God doesn't think this way
Are you kind? How do you show it? Have you done something kind to a family member recently...got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee...without being asked.
What about at work? Is there a person who is usually over-looked or avoided...a grumpy employee....maybe they don't fit in...are we kind to this person?
"Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor's trash can that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at church. They understnad that perhaps the neediest person they'll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting in the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: 'When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers' - Gal. 6:10"
How kind are we to our enemies? What if they want and take what we have? What would happen if we were kind to our competitors or enemies? Maybe the boss would fire you or your spouse leave you. What would happen if we surprised them with kindness? It wouldn't be easy and would take a lot of humlity. Mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness.
We are to be kind to everyone: family, friends, co-workers, strangers, church members, enemies...this pretty much includes everyone...right? There is still someone who needs your kindness. Do we need to be kind to ourselves?
Jesus is kind to us? Did he scorn the couple for not planning ahead? Did he punish Zacchaeus for taking advantage of his friends and being self-serving? Was he hard on the woman with the disease? No. He is kind to the forgetful, greedy and to the sick. And he is kind to us. God knows everything about you, yet he doesn't hold back his kindness towards you. He has, despite knowing all of our secrets, remained faithful, merciful and gracious to us. He forgives our faults, so why can't we do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living, he believes in you enough to call you his ambassador, his follower and child. Can we take a cue from him and believe in ourselves?
"Be kind to yourself. God thinks you're worth his kindness. And he is a good judge of character."