Would you say that you are a kind person? I’m not talking about when you use kind words. Would you say that you are generous, considerate, and gracious? Do you show concern for others? Do you help others without waiting for them to return the favour?
Kindness is more than just using kind words. Kindness should flow to others through our actions. What are your actions saying about you? James 2:15-16 raises this question: “If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?” Hearing someone express pity toward another person who is in desperate need, we might mistakenly conclude that he or she is being kind. But true kindness, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, must also compel us to act lovingly towards others. A kind person recognizes that a neighbour, friend, family member, or perhaps even a stranger—has a physical, mental, social, or spiritual need, and then helps to meet that need in the best way possible.
When we exhibit the kindness of God, we are warm and tender-hearted to others. Every action, every word will have the flavour of grace in it. To maintain this attitude toward those we love is hard enough. To express kindness toward those who we don’t quite get along with requires the work of God (2 Corinthians 6:4-6). That is why kindness is a fruit of the Spirit; there’s no way we can do it on our own!
Look at the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. The robbers left him half dead. Now, it so happened that a Priest and a Levite happened to be going down the same road. They saw the man and they passed by on the other side. I am going to go ahead and say that they probably looked on him with pity. A Samaritan man went down the saw road, and when he saw the man he took pity on Him, but it didn’t stop there. Luke tells us that, “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper.” That is what God requires of us – Kindness that flows to others through our actions. Since we are representatives of God on the earth, just like Him, our kindness should lead people to repentance. Our actions should cause people to repent of their sins and not drive them further into it.
Let us humbly give ourselves in love and mercy to others, and do as Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.”
Kindness Challenge for the rest of the week:
- Write an encouraging note to someone
- Surprise someone with a little gift
- Share a meal with a homeless person.
Let me know in the comments if you will be participating.
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Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.