LOVE IS KIND
1 Corinthians 13:4
The Oxford Dictionary describes kindness as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. It is not just about being nice but looking at the interest of others with love and compassionate. Kindness is love in action and it is not something merely emotional, but something practical, visible and active. It is part of the fruits that God’s Spirit produces within us (Galatians 5:22-23). It is the outflow of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit onto those around us. It is not just about being polite in public, but it should be evident in our daily lives at home and in the workplace. It is evident in friendliness, generosity, patience, thoughtfulness, and a calm, warm-compassionate disposition.
Kindness begins with thoughtfulness when our minds are set on others, not just on ourselves. When we are sensitive to the needs of those around us and ready to offer help with our words or actions, we reflect the nature of God. The scripture in Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you”. Christ is the perfect depiction of kindness. When He heard blind Bartimaeus calling out to Him (as recorded in Mark 10:51), He didn’t consider him a nuisance but rather stopped and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?”. Then with compassion, He restored Bartimaeus’ sight just as he requested. There are many accounts of Christ’s kindness in the New Testament.
So, as followers of Jesus, our lives too, should be characterized by kindness. And because it is the Holy Spirit that is working within us, we have the capacity to be kind in every situation, particularly when others are unkind to us. “Do not merely look out for your own personal interest but also for the interest of other people” (Philippians 2:4). According to Paul, one of the qualities of Christians is that they are kind to all (2Timothy 2:24). Kindness, love in action and in words. You cannot claim to be a loving personalty if you are not kind. Kindness is a characteristic of true love.
PRAYER: Lord, give me the grace to be genuinely kind to people.
