Be Kind to One Another
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32, KJV).
Jesus had just triumphed over Satan and his temptations in the wilderness. He returned home to Nazareth and participated in the synagogue worship, as was His custom. He chose to read from Isaiah 61. It was His mission statement.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18–19, KJV)
Love and kindness would permeate Jesus’ ministry. Not a wishy-washy kindness that would overlook sin, but one with righteousness at its very core. Not a weak kindness that would capitulate to His oppressors, but a strong kindness that would rescue the outcast and defend the needy.
The kindness of Jesus was sacrificial. He went forty days without food in the wilderness, yet He had compassion on the hungry five thousand and multiplied the loaves and fish. He knew that His hands would be pierced through, yet He restored the man’s withered hand to health. He would face the terrors of death and hell, yet He told Jairus and many others, “Fear not.” Jesus delivered countless people from their suffering, yet when His own time of suffering came, worse than any of His followers had experienced, He said, “Thy will be done.” His was the ultimate kindness; He paid the ultimate price—His life for our sins.
Have you received this beautiful kindness of Jesus? Has He washed away your sins and redeemed your life from destruction? Were you once an enemy, but now He has made you His friend?
Then go out and live every day, being kind to one another. Thank God for His kindness to you, and show kindness to those around you. Begin at home. Sometimes our raw honesty to our loved ones can become unkindness. Be patient and forgiving. Love and appreciate your family members.
Show kindness at work and school to those who are kind in return, and also to those who are rude and irritating. We are even called to love our enemies. Your kindness can be a witness. It is countercultural. Revenge is natural; returning good for evil is not. Be ready to give a reason for the hope and love that lie within you. Show them and tell them how Jesus conquered you with His kindness.
Our churches should be a haven of kindness, a shelter from the mean, abrasive world out there. Sadly, this is not always the case. But let’s each do our part to wrap our arms of love and mercy around our church family.
God is love. The Law and the Prophets are summarized by the law of love. Kindness is love in everyday clothes. It’s little things and big things. Kindness is important and beautiful. Kindness breeds more kindness. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32, KJV).
Mary Beeke is author of The Law of Kindness and Teach Them to Work and has served as a schoolteacher and a nurse.
A Gift to Share - Alora M. Knight
I was given a smile the other day
From someone who passed me on their way.
I wasn't sure what I should do.
Perhaps, I'll leave it up to you.
If I should keep it for myself,
Put it on the kitchen shelf.
Then it would be a certainty
To bring some happiness to me.
Somehow that doesn't feel just right
For me to keep it in my sight
When there were others who might need
A waft of warmth, oh yes indeed.
It doesn't take so very much,
A cheerful smile, a gentle touch,
To lift the cloud another bears,
To help them feel somebody cares.
There is one thing we all should know.
A smile is like the candle's glow.
No matter how many candles share
That light, its fullness still is there.
So when I go out on the street,
No matter whom I chance to meet,
If I share with them my precious smile,
Do you think that will be worthwhile?
For hopefully, they too, will understand
That a smile is like a helping hand.
I'm hoping that you will agree
And someday share a smile with me.
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