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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Kindness and Love

When I first started to prepare the lesson on kindness for last Sunday, I thought I was going to be teaching essentially on how to "be nice."  It was just another attribute, I thought, of a good, moral life walking together with God.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12 NIV)

As I began the study, though, I started to see that kindness was tied to much more than a list of attributes.  For one, it became clear that we give kindness to people because God showed us kindness first - even when we did not deserve it.  In the worst case scenario, kindness given instead of punishment is forgiveness.  Not only is this forgiveness, but it is undeserved forgiveness.  That makes it a gift called grace.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13 NIV)

The more I read and studied, the more I found the motivation behind it all.  We shouldn't be kind just to be nice.  We shouldn't even be kind just because God was kind to us first.  Our kindness should flow from our perspective in life.  Our perspective should match God's perspective about people.  When we look at people, we should look at them with love.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14 NIV)

Each person is a human being that was knit together in his or her mother's womb.  Each one is fearfully and wonderfully made.  Each was given to parents as a gift.  Each is made in the image of God.  Not only that, we are intricately connected to each one in much the same way that the different parts of a body are connected - especially with those who have drawn near to God.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NIV)

Our love for God drives our love for people.  Even when the person is nowhere near to God, we love them as being made in the image of God.  That love generates kindness, even undeserved, toward each person.  That genuine love and kindness speaks to them.  It gives them a message.  It tells them, "God loves you and wants to be with you."

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16 NIV)

You see, kindness isn't about just being nice.  Kindness is about being a representative of Christ.  When we are kind, we are showing God's love to people in a real and practical way.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 NIV)

So, how about you?  Are you kind?  Is your kindness driven by love?

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