Robert Griffith | 13 January 2023
Robert Griffith
13 January 2023

 

How kind are you?

When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family – got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee – without being asked?

Think about your school or workplace or Church. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided?  A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn’t speak the language. Maybe she doesn’t fit in. Are you kind to this person?

Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mum with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbour’s rubbish bin that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at Church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they’ll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes:

Galatians 6:10  “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.”

And, here is a challenge – what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the wife who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it’s not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two

Ephesians 4:32  “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Jesus said we should love our enemies, do good to those who hate us and bless those who curse us. If we love only the people who love us, what praise should we get?

Luke 6:27-28, 32, 35-36  “Love  your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy.”

Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at Church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers everyone, don’t you think? Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.

Since he is so kind to you, can’t you be a little kinder to yourself? “Oh, but you don’t know me. You don’t know my faults and my thoughts. You don’t know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble.” No, I don’t, but God does. He knows everything about you, yet He doesn’t hold back His kindness toward you. Has He, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or reclaimed one gift?

No, He is kind to you. Why don’t you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don’t you do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don’t you agree? He believes in you enough to call you His ambassador, His follower, even His child. Why not take His cue and believe in yourself?

Be kind to yourself. God thinks you’re worth His kindness. And He’s a good judge of character.

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