What do you think of when you hear the word “kindness?” Do you think of someone who always uses kind words? Or perhaps someone who typically goes out of their way to help others?
Kindness is emphasized as an important fruit that grows in the life of a Christ-Follower.
Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law“.
Kindness is so much more than simply being nice or pleasant to be around. In Ephesians 4:32, kindness is likened to the forgiveness that we find in Jesus.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. Ephesians 4:32
Anyone has the capability to be nice, whether a follower of Jesus or not. But kindness for those who proclaim Christ embodies so much more than what we normally think of when we hear this word.
In Biblical Greek, the word used for kindness denotes an idea of moral integrity and goodness. These are traits that also link this word back to Christ. We know that Jesus was the only person to ever have perfect moral integrity. He was the very definition of goodness.
Every single positive thing that those words make up the very essence of who Jesus is. He lived out all of those things in every single thing He ever did.
When we think of kindness this way, it is the act of striving to show the love of Jesus in every encounter we have with other people. Kindness is working towards and seeking the good of others. Instead of simply being about manners, kindness is about meeting the needs of others and leading them to salvation found in Jesus Christ. When we live in that way, then we are truly displaying kindness.
When you live your life in this way, you are truly embodying the calling of Jesus and God’s image within you. Make a decision today! Commit to showing kindness towards everyone you meet, no matter who they are. In doing so, you will be advancing the wonderful message of grace and love found in Jesus.
Write Pastor Billy at pastorbilly@findtruelife.com.