“So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];”
Colossians 3:12 AMP
Most of us understand kindness when we see it, but it is often difficult to define or describe.
When we talk of kindness, picture the good Samaritan that Jesus talks to us about [Luke 10:30–37]. A man who was going about his way. He didn’t plan to stop. He was simply on his journey when he encountered someone who had been attacked, wounded, and left helpless. That man needed help. He needed support. And everybody seemed to be passing him by, except the good Samaritan, who stopped, tended to his wounds, and took him to safety. That act is an act of kindness.
From Within
When we talk about kindness, we are talking about benevolence, a nature of goodness. And it shows in the way that you treat people. It shows in how you help, how you give alms to the poor [Proverbs 19:17], how you support those who are in need, how you speak, even the gentleness of the way that you speak to people [Proverbs 15:1], that your words are always kind [Ephesians 4:32].
Jesus also paints a picture of kindness when He talks about how we will be asked, “When I was hungry, did you feed Me? When I was thirsty, did you give Me something to drink?” [Matthew 25:35]. And on that day, we will ask, “Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty?” And Jesus will say that when you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to Me [Matthew 25:37–40].
Be Kind
Jesus was trying to show us that kindness, benevolence, helping, and supporting one another is important to the heart of God. It is one of the things He checks. How do you treat people around you? How do you treat your brother? How do you treat your neighbor? How do you take care of them? That is one of the marks of a kind person.
And yes, just like every other apparel we are supposed to be clothed in, it still comes from the heart [Proverbs 4:23]. When someone is doing acts of kindness but their heart is not kind, it is easy to see that something is not adding up somewhere.
So if there is a challenge to take from this, it is this: extend kindness to those around you. Extend kindness in the way that you speak. Extend kindness in the way that you show up and support people. Extend kindness to those you know you will not benefit anything from [Luke 6:35]. Extend kindness to everybody.
Do not attach your kindness to what you can receive in return. Let it come from a place of benevolence and goodness, because your Father in heaven is good [Psalm 34:8].
Shalom
