We are on the 5th day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.
Gentleness (kindness) — We should live “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).
Let’s take a look at what, according to Scripture, accompanies true kindness: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each another, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
To consistently live up to all this is humanly impossible! But “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)
Kindness starts with caring —being tenderhearted and compassionate toward others. (Proverbs 12:10)
We must make it our goal and habit to be actively looking for opportunities to show kindness. When we see one, we need to act quickly before the opportunity is gone.
“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions” (1 John 3:18)
Some people think kindness is weak—not something for “go-getters” to be bothered with. Big mistake! If we want God, who has ultimate control of how things go, to be kind to us, we’d better be kind to others. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7)
Lack of kindness is epidemic. The apostle Paul accurately foretold a cold and hard-hearted world “in the last days” (2 Timothy 3:1-2)
Jesus Christ practiced kindness that was radical for that time and culture. He always had great concern for women as well as men, for children as well as adults, for other races as well as the Jewish race, and for the sick and weak as well as the strong. Often He wore Himself out praying for people, healing people, feeding people and helping them in other ways.
When Jesus looked on the multitudes of people with all their problems, sicknesses and confusion, He was “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 18:27)
As we look at the people around us, we, too, should be moved with gentleness, compassion and kindness. We, too, should be helping, giving, sharing, caring, encouraging, extending mercy, filled with compassion and acting on it as we are able.
With each of us, may the fruit of kindness continue to blossom and grow. Above all, may we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who personified God’s heart in the greatest example of loving-kindness.
“Gentleness and Kindness starts with caring—being tenderhearted and compassionate toward others.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins and for giving me the opportunity to experience life more abundantly. Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word. I want learn how offer gentleness, kindness and compassion to others in a way that that You give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Rob Lavallee
Scriptural Seeds Ministries
http://www.scripturalseeds.org
Scriptural Seeds Ministries 