God’s Word explores the many characteristics that the Lord shows and requires of His people. The deepest of these is kindness.
Kindness is often overlooked in a modern culture that emphasizes personal achievement and success. In fact, many consider this other-focused trait a weakness. But for believers, having a calm mind actually indicates great strength of character.
In a letter to the young church leader Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote that kindness is a qualification for those who wish to make disciples of others and help fellow Christians become stronger in their faith. .
“And the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and not be resentful. It must be gently taught in the hope that it will give you…”2 Timothy 2:24-25).
As believers today, we are also called upon to grow in this area.
What is kindness?
The quality of kindness is much richer than many people think. One reason is that kindness can be expressed in so many ways.
According to Merriam-Webster, calm means “free from harshness, harshness and violence.” Honorable, illustrious”, even “chivalrous”. Interestingly, when used as a verb (to be gentle), it means “to tame, or to raise out of commonality.” It means giving others respect and consideration and helping them become better.
Synonyms include caring, compassion, softness, kindness, mercy, peace, sympathy, politeness, and kindness. All of these represent a heart longing to serve others. But to be most effective, we must remember that serving and pleasing God is our motivation.
Baker’s Gospel Dictionary defines kindness as “a sensitive disposition and acts of kindness based on strength and prompted by love.” This is a beautiful picture of how God uses His power for those who follow Him. And Jesus modeled the same for us during His earthly ministry.
God’s Name Connotes Kindness
Looking at how Heavenly Father is portrayed throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we get a sense that this attribute is active, passionate, and influencing those who receive it. increase.
Jehovah Rapha (Lord who heals)
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and remember all the favors of the Lord. He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases…” (Psalm 103:2-3).
Jehovah Ra (Lord my Shepherd)
“O nations, hear the word of the Lord. Declare this in the distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them together and watch over his flock like a shepherd.'”Jeremiah 31:10).
Jehovah Shamma (The Lord Is There)
“The Lord your God is with you, a great warrior who will save you. He will rejoice in you. ”Zephaniah 3:17).
good father
“‘I will be your father, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”2 Corinthians 6:18).
Father Abba
“Because you are children of God, God has sent into our hearts the Spirit of His Son, the Spirit that calls to us. “ABBA”father'” (Galatians 4:6).
Heavenly Father
“Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow, they do not reap, they do not keep them in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. You are far more than they. Isn’t there value inMatthew 6:26).
Each of these names is a reminder of how deep and wide God’s love is and the power of His kind spirit.
What the Bible Says About Kindness
There are many passages in the Old Testament that speak of God’s kindness.
“He herds his flocks like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his bosom. He gently guides those who have children.”Isaiah 40:11).
“Isn’t God’s comfort and gentle words enough for you?”Job 15:11).
“After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire was extinguished a gentle whisper was heard.”1 Kings 19:12).
God reached out to save mankind, comfort it, nurture it, and lead it to become part of His family. And in the New Testament Gospels, Jesus walks the earth and shows us what this kindness is like.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. I am kind and humble, and you will find peace for your soul.”Matthew 11:29).
“Say to your daughter Zion, ‘Behold, your king will come to you, gently riding on a donkey and on a colt of a donkey.'”Matthew 21:5).
“But love your enemies, do them good, lend without expecting anything in return, and your reward will be great, and the Most High will be kind to the ungrateful wicked. Therefore you will be his children.”Luke 6:35).
Jesus was full of compassion for those in need of all kinds of healing. And Jesus reached out to the unbelievers and encouraged them to walk with Him.
The apostles expressed kindness in their teachings and letters and sought to train early Christians how to walk in kindness.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, kindness and self-control ”(Galatians 5:22-23).
“Then, as a prisoner of the Lord, I would like you to lead a life worthy of your calling. Be thoroughly humble and kind. Be patient and love one another.”Ephesians 4:1-2).
“Your beauty should not be defined by outward adornments such as elaborate hairstyles, gold jewelry, or the wearing of fine clothing. Rather, it should be the timeless beauty of your inner self, the calm, quiet spirit, which is so valuable in God’s eyes. “1 Peter 3:3-4).
Paul, Peter, James, and other apostles sought to teach their readers about the power of grace to grow Christ’s church.
how to grow in kindness
To understand the importance of kindness, we must cultivate it within ourselves and show it to others. An honest inventory of yourself will help you see which aspects of kindness are already being considered and where there is room for growth. God’s Word is our guide, and when we are exposed to it, we begin to change.
– Find out how the early church cared for others
– You can learn the verses of “each other”
– You can pray to God to soften your heart for others
– Exploring ways to proactively contact others
Over time, showing kindness in your daily life will become natural. And even the most basic interactions can have a huge impact if motivated by God’s love.
– Listen to those who are suffering.
・Give a smile to people you pass by on the go.
– Use language that shows respect for the person you are talking to.
– A calming presence when someone is angry or upset.
– Seek the best for someone first.
When we see kindness as we do with God, we see its value. His Son, Jesus, walked through the world with this wonderful quality. We must follow in his footsteps.
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