IT TAKES $0.00 TO BE KIND. In fact, kindness should be the calling card of the Christian.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians 3:12-13
There are two different words in the Greek language for kindness. The one above has to do with usefulness and excellence of character or one’s demeanor, gentleness and goodness. This is also found in 2 Cor 6:6; Eph 2:7; Titus 3:4.
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,”
Titus 3:4-6
The other word for kindness is found in Acts 28:2 and 2 Peter 1:7. It is the Greek word Philadelphia and means “brotherly love, love of the brethren”, which is specific kindness toward my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thus, most of the “kindness” that the Christian possesses should be a goodness/gentleness that stems from a transformed and renewed character. We are to be becoming more like Christ in our character.
Kindness is excellence of character that’s formed through denying our flesh and allowing the Spirit to transform our minds and hearts. It means that I don’t blow up easily. I don’t retaliate when I’ve been wronged. I take a loving rebuke. I am gentle towards all others. It also means I do not withhold truth. I do not withhold correction. I do not withhold any kind of goodness or righteousness. In short, I have taken on the nature and character of my Savior.
ARE YOU KIND? When your moral portrait is painted, what does it reveal? Does your painting look like Dorian Gray? Who looked beautiful to all around him, but his portrait was vile revealing his soul. The kindness of the Spirit is usefulness to the kingdom. You are not kind if you gossip and slander. You are not kind if you flatter others to their face and talk about them behind their back. I had a “friend” that always loved to flatter me and then she stabbed me in the back. I was aware that something was off. Be very, very careful of one who flatters you.
“He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19
Are you kind or do you look for areas to say hurtful things and “zing” someone? Do you always have to be right and like Jezebel push your way? Do you retaliate for a wrong done? WHERE IS YOUR KINDNESS METER? You don’t even have to agree with the person to be kind to them. You can be kind and speak truth, in fact if it’s true kindness of the Spirit, then it will only be in accordance with the truth. I have to warn you about returning evil to those who have shown you kindness- God’s Word says that evil will never depart from your house. Oh the stories I could tell of this proverb coming true!
“Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.” Proverbs 17:13
If you have crucified the flesh and it’s lusts, then kindness can be developed. When someone does you wrong, your character will be revealed. Is it the excellence of character that was in our Lord? When you get hurt, you can be kind. When people talk bad about you and intentionally hurt your feelings, you can be kind. Leave the details up to God, and just be kind.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
