I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
Stephen Grellet, Quaker Missionary
How important is kindness to your mission? As Christians, the kindness we show to others is rooted in our response to how much God loves us and the sacrifice He made on our behalf. He lavished the riches of His grace on us. From that abundance we love others, and one way we express that love is through showing kindness to one another. In fact, a definition of grace is “undeserved kindness.”
Kindness is not just saying kind words but doing them, living them. Jesus was a perfect example of kindness. He went around helping people. They lined up for hours to hear his words and receive healing. Jesus helped people regardless of whether they deserved it or not. For many, it was the last thing they expected. It was something they were rarely shown. Remember the woman at the well? Instead of judging, the Lord was kind to her.
There are a lot of examples of kindness in Scripture.
God says, Do you want to be in this Kingdom? Do you want to know how you’ll never ever fall away? Add these characteristics into your life. 2 Peter 1:7 says, “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.”
Brotherly kindness: Do we have that in our lives?"
Remember when Paul and the other prisoners werewereshipwrecked on their way to Rome? They swam ashore to the isle ofMalta Malta Malta
Another Bible story showing kindness is in 2 Samuel 9 about King David showing unexpected—and life-changing—kindness to a disabled young man by the name of Mephibosheth. “The king asked, ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?’ Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’" This story is in the context of God Himself showing extraordinary kindness to David. Psalm 18:50 says, “He gives great deliverance to His King, and shows loving kindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.” Kindness is an expression of the very character of God. David recognizes that he is the chief recipient of God’s loving kindness and, in turn, shows kindness to another.
Then there’s this wonderful reference in Acts 9: 36-42 about a woman in Joppa, a disciple named Tabitha. “This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did.” How kind and loving she must have been, to have been spoken of in the Bible for being full of love and doing kind deeds. I like thinking about that, because that’s something I can do.
We all know about the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31, right? So many accomplishments. But there’s one characteristic of the virtuous woman that we give little attention to. Proverbs 31:26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom; and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
God calls us to be kind and gentle people. By His grace, all of us can be kind in very practical ways that glorify Him. Our kindness, when we give God the glory, makes others feel treasured and loved by Him, as we know we are. Colossians 3:12 says, “So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
How are you, as a parent, a teacher, a Church leader, a Christian perpetuating God’s kindness through your ministry? How would intentionally embracing kindness influence the mission of your life?
Father, I am grateful for the loving kindness you show me every day. I pray that you will fill my heart with kindness. Help me to see those around me in the same way you do - as loved and treasured people, and may any kindness I can show to others point to you. Thank you for Jesus, who intercedes for me in this and every prayer.
Lynn Anne Hughes
Stephen Grellet, Quaker Missionary
How important is kindness to your mission? As Christians, the kindness we show to others is rooted in our response to how much God loves us and the sacrifice He made on our behalf. He lavished the riches of His grace on us. From that abundance we love others, and one way we express that love is through showing kindness to one another. In fact, a definition of grace is “undeserved kindness.”
Kindness is not just saying kind words but doing them, living them. Jesus was a perfect example of kindness. He went around helping people. They lined up for hours to hear his words and receive healing. Jesus helped people regardless of whether they deserved it or not. For many, it was the last thing they expected. It was something they were rarely shown. Remember the woman at the well? Instead of judging, the Lord was kind to her.
There are a lot of examples of kindness in Scripture.
God says, Do you want to be in this Kingdom? Do you want to know how you’ll never ever fall away? Add these characteristics into your life. 2 Peter 1:7 says, “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.”
Brotherly kindness: Do we have that in our lives?"
Remember when Paul and the other prisoners werewereshipwrecked on their way to Rome? They swam ashore to the isle of
Another Bible story showing kindness is in 2 Samuel 9 about King David showing unexpected—and life-changing—kindness to a disabled young man by the name of Mephibosheth. “The king asked, ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?’ Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’" This story is in the context of God Himself showing extraordinary kindness to David. Psalm 18:50 says, “He gives great deliverance to His King, and shows loving kindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.” Kindness is an expression of the very character of God. David recognizes that he is the chief recipient of God’s loving kindness and, in turn, shows kindness to another.
Then there’s this wonderful reference in Acts 9: 36-42 about a woman in Joppa, a disciple named Tabitha. “This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did.” How kind and loving she must have been, to have been spoken of in the Bible for being full of love and doing kind deeds. I like thinking about that, because that’s something I can do.
We all know about the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31, right? So many accomplishments. But there’s one characteristic of the virtuous woman that we give little attention to. Proverbs 31:26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom; and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
God calls us to be kind and gentle people. By His grace, all of us can be kind in very practical ways that glorify Him. Our kindness, when we give God the glory, makes others feel treasured and loved by Him, as we know we are. Colossians 3:12 says, “So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
How are you, as a parent, a teacher, a Church leader, a Christian perpetuating God’s kindness through your ministry? How would intentionally embracing kindness influence the mission of your life?
Father, I am grateful for the loving kindness you show me every day. I pray that you will fill my heart with kindness. Help me to see those around me in the same way you do - as loved and treasured people, and may any kindness I can show to others point to you. Thank you for Jesus, who intercedes for me in this and every prayer.
Lynn Anne Hughes
Stephenville, Texas
Our protrayal of Christ to the world begins with our kindness to all that we encounter. Thank you for pointing me there.
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