Do you struggle with being kind? Or maybe you know someone who does?
Kindness is something that many Christians struggle with. But it's something that should make us different from the rest of the world.
Here are five thoughts about kindness:
1) Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.
Something amazing happens to those who belong to Jesus Christ. It's called transformation. If you belong to Jesus Christ, then you can't help but be kind to others (Galatians 5:22). Not to say that you won't mess up, because you will. But a believer's life is marked by kindness and we have the Spirit's help in this matter.
2) Kindness begins relationships.
Think of any relationship that you've ever had. More than likely it started with either a common interests or a kind act. That's how I met my best friend in second grade. I needed a pencil and he offered me a TMNT pencil (that's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for any lame people out there). Soon me and my friend, whose snot glowed in the dark, were inseparable. Kindness is often the first step in building community.
3) Unkindness ends relationships.
Unkindness is a relationship killer. It is one of the main reasons for broken relationships. In any relationship, when someone quits being kind (maybe not even overtly) then the relationship stops growing. Have you had relationships that ended because of unkindness or neutrality?
4) You can't fake kindness.
People pick up when someone is faking kindness. You feel manipulated or patronized when someone isn't honest with you. In the same regard, you come across as flaky when you aren't genuine with others. Don't try to fake it.
If you struggle with kindness, pray that God will soften your heart to be vulnerable to others. Look for opportunities to be kind, starting with your spouse, your children, and your closest friends.
But it shouldn't stop there.
5) Kindness should spread to the "others".
Jesus had a difficult teaching. He said, "When you throw a Cinco de Mayo fiesta, do not invite your friends, your boss, your momma, your granny, the popular kid, the good-looking girl, your pastor, or anyone who can score you free merch. For they will invite you to their Memorial Day cookout and you will be paid back. But when you throw your Cinco de Mayo fiesta, invite the poor, the losers, that annoying kid, and the people who you wouldn't want to be seen with. For you will be repaid in the end." (Just in case you didn't notice, I so paraphrased that. You can read the real words in Luke 14:12-14.)
Jesus wasn't teaching about kindness in this passage. But Jesus' expectation is clear here. We are to show kindness to others, especially to people who can't repay us.
Question:
Is there evidence of kindness in your life?
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