And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Kindness

Many attributes make up the character of the child of God. They are full of forgiveness. Blessed by God to be called His children, the blood of Christ cleanses them from sin. The grace of God abounds in the life of those in the kingdom. Paul exhorted the brethren to obey the laws of the land, praying for all leaders and those in authority. Husbands and wives are to love one another as the relationship between Christ and the church. There are so many important traits where the disciple of Christ shines as a light in the world. One of the simplest and yet could be the most challenging is learning to be kind to one another.

J. W. von Goethe said, “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.” A Hebrew proverb suggests, “Kindness is the beginning and the end of the law.” For the Christian, it is one of the greatest testimonies of how they have changed from the nature of the world to the grace of God’s love. Paul says to be kind to one another. Those led by the example of Christ will show kindness, speak kindness, and extend kindness to those deserving and those who do not deserve it. Jesus told His disciples to love their enemies and pray for them. Being kind to those who are enemies is giving them a cup of cold water in the name of Christ. Being kind is being Christ.

Kindness is something that must be practiced. First, the mind of being kind to all men begins with the knowledge of God’s word. One of the challenges of kindness is the inability to desire to be nice to others. There are a lot of folks in the world who do not deserve charity. It is the instinct of people to treat others like they are being treated. When one reads the word of God, the first thing that must be admitted is the kindness of God towards sinful man. If the Lord treated humanity the way men treated men, He would have never sent His Son, Jesus Christ. Reading the story of redemption shows man’s heart why he must be kind to others – God was kind to him. The kind heart is the heart of God.

Showing kindness is found in the way we talk to others. Sometimes it’s hard to be friendly to those who make life difficult, but biting the tongue, taking a breath, and thinking kind things will show Christ. Anger is not a part of the Christian character. Allowing the emotions to overflow to where things are said and done filled with strife is not showing kindness. The command of the Holy Spirit is to be kind to one another. When husbands and wives have troubled marriages, it begins because kindness is forgotten. Churches face trials within when kindness is not first sought after. Feelings and grudges are established with heartless feelings of unkindness prevail. Being kind to one another is truth in action.

The measure of kindness is found in learning to have tender hearts and a willingness to forgive. When a man struggles with learning to be kind and showing that kindness to others, he has forgotten that God was kind to him, showing mercy through a tender heart and forgiving a man who did not deserve forgiveness. To be kind to one another is measured by the statement of the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit that said, “Even as God in Christ forgave you.” Why am I learning to be kind to one another? How can I have hope of eternal life without being kind? What will happen if I refuse to be kind? Jesus taught forgiveness from the Father is based in part on the forgiveness given to one another. Being kind to one another comes from a grateful heart that knows how much kindness (abounding; unlimited; eternal) the Father has bestowed on me. Be kind.