KINDNESS

(Photo by @heatherd)

What's Inside: The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the word kindness is a fair, delicate, Disney Princess. She skips about, she is at peace with the world, she sings and is kind to every animal and creature she meets. Cute. How does kindness show up in our world? How do we Christians not just perform acts of kindness but actually be kind? The implications of not doing so may surprise you.

In Colossians 3:12 Paul urges us to clothe ourselves in kindness. Kindness is not something we do, but who we are. That being said, however, one typically has to practice doing something over and over again until it becomes well enough ingrained in the individual that it is part of who he is.

Our aim is to take these beautiful biblical principals and put them into practical application. To explore ways that we can begin being kind to one another, let's look at synonyms of the word kindness:

           

            Benignity (tolerance toward others), benevolence, humanity, generosity, charity, sympathy, compassion, tenderness

Each word is a trait that we can adopt and incorporate into our daily interactions with people. We can show compassion when someone is hurting or having a bad day. We can choose to be a listening ear when needed. Rather than jumping to conclusions or faulting others for their challenges, we can mourn with one another, celebrate with one another and bear each other’s burdens. It behooves us to seek out and accept opportunities to give to someone. Giving could be money, time, a listening non-judgmental ear, or even a smile. We can make small sacrifices in our own lives to give to those who need it.

Years ago I was diagnosed with bone cancer. I was a college track athlete at the time. I can still remember the joy and love that I felt in response to even the slightest gestures of kindness. I beamed every time my coach had a package for me containing a t-shirt from another school. The shirts came from high school and track teams alike. The shirts were simple yet meaningful acts of kindness. I was brought to tears by the lady who walked around the infusion room at the hospital handing out little baggies of treats. It’s amazing to think how fulfilling and energizing kindness can be. There is a reason people say smiles are contagious. I can only imagine the impact on this world if we all made kindness a conscious part of who we are.

Some are easier to be kind to than others, I get that. I am fascinated by the passion and zeal that many of us have for our pets and other animals. I am convinced that we care more for animals than for other humans and the reasoning varies from person to person. I hope that people will matter more to us than do animals. If that is not true for you, I encourage you to use your love for animals as and example of how to care for mankind as well. Consider the mind that you have towards the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Do you feel a sense of responsibility for them? Does your heart go out to them because they are so helpless? Are you compassionate towards them because they are just themselves? Your brothers and sisters in the human race need that same level of compassion and concern too.

Can you think of the last time that you were kind to someone even as they were unkind to you? That can be a tough one, including trying NOT to be kind to them out of spite.  Christians are called to be kind. It is one of the key ways in which we witness to others. Who wants to hear about a loving God from a person who is aloof, sour, selfish or cold? Kindness embodies The Christ’s words in Matthew 5: 38-48:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But, I tell you…

·      Do not resist an evil person.

·      If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 

·      And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 

·      If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 

·      Give to the one who asks you and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Kindness is being willing to be good to them that are not good to you, even to pray for those who mean to cause you harm. This is not an easy task. It requires utter humility and complete security in your identity in Christ. It is impossible to behave in such a way (regardless of whom you are doing it for) if you are insecure and seeking respect and adulation from others. You won’t do it. The world views such behavior as weakness and lowliness. And who wants to be viewed like that? My encouragement is this, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you". (Proverbs 25:21-22)

"Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back" (Luke 6: 30).

Such behavior as exemplified by Christ is true strength. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is what truly makes it possible to apply these words.

I am concerned that we grossly underestimate the weight of our kindness towards one another in the eyes of God. The manner in which we deal with people even how we show kindness bears a greater weight than we realize. In Matthew 25:35-40 Jesus presents what I consider to be a chilling parable of the sheep and the goats:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

·      For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat,

·      I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink,

·      I was a stranger and you invited me in, 

·      I needed clothes and you clothed me, 

·      I was sick and you looked after me, 

·      I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

It would not surprise me if the world viewed Christianity as an event and sharing the gospel as the role of the man on stage. That image would be our fault. As a congregation, we reserve our Christianity (Christian behavior) for special events and occasions. We are sure to be polite and smiling at church, but once we cross the threshold into the real world, evangelism goes out the door and we are back to our rude, impatient, irritable selves.  On the contrary, church stays with us. We always represent Christ and we always represent the church not matter where people see us. You would be very embarrassed to see the very person you blew off as your kid’s Sunday school teacher. Kindness must be an integral part of who we are at all times.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12)".

Showing kindness in not always going to be an easy task. Some days you just won’t feel like. And many times you may feel that the potential benefactor of your kindness does not deserve it. But once again we are reminded of those great words of wisdom:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:3-11).

As challenging as it may be to show kindness to others, especially those who do not deserve it, remember that none of us deserve the kindness that has been so richly lavished on us by Jesus Christ:

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:3-6)

Lord, give us the courage to live out Your love and to live in loving kindness toward one another. We humble ourselves under your authority and instruction and choose to be obedient. We love those who are in our lives, near and around us. Thank You for them, because it is by Your design that we live in community and so need one another. Help us to be kind today.

Please, leave your thoughts and comments below; I’d love to hear from you.

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