What is Kindness?
Do you ever remember being told if you can’t say something nice don't say anything at all? That foregone wisdom of old would be helpful in a world where anyone believes they are entitled to say anything regardless of the impact. I think we could all agree that if we were a little kinder, there would be much less rancor in our world. What is kindness, is it subjective or objective? Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. We all like kind people, right? Then why are so many people so unkind sometimes? If we want to follow Jesus, we are going to have to learn from The Word how we are to be kind.
Be Kind To The Authorities
First, we need to be kind to those who rule over us. Titus was commanded to remind the Christians on the island of Crete to be kind. Titus 3:1 explains, “Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work.” We all have rulers over us. If you are a child you have parents, and they have rules. When you obey them, God’s Word reminds us that this is the first commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6:1-3).
Wherever you might live, you have rulers that are in charge. We have government authorities and they have laws. We all must submit to them, not merely because we live in a particular city, state, or country, but because the governing authorities are God’s ministers (Romans 13:1-6). We have overseers in the church, our elders who we also must submit to because they have a great responsibility. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:17 these words. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch on behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.”
Be Kind With Your Speech
Second, we need to be kind with our words. In Titus 3:2 The Spirit instructs, “to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.” In short, we need to think about what we say. It is so very disappointing with the lack of kindness we speak about our fellow man, including sometimes our brethren. We have to remember that our enemies are also made in the very image of our Creator and are in need of a Savior.
How many times do we say things that we regret because we did not take the time to think first? There are times when we even speak ill of our beloved brethren. It must not be this way. In addition to thinking about what we say, we need to learn to be consistent with our words. James 3:7-10 reads,
but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
To be consistent is to not speak evil or use our words for evil. We are to not be contentious, meaning we should not always be looking for a fight or argument. Our words are so very powerful. We can use them to glorify God and edify men, anything else is a misuse of the wonderful ability to speak. We must be gentle with our words and show meekness (acting with restraint). This includes even when we are on the right side of a position. We can be right and also kind.
Be Kind Like God Is
Finally, we need to be kind like God was to us. Why would we obey? Why would we speak with gentleness? Because that is how God first treated us.
For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(Titus 3:3-7)
He was kind when we were against Him. He showed us love and mercy. Jesus died for us when we were opposed to Him (cf. Romans 3:10). We were foolish and deceived. We served our lusts and pleasures. We were full of hate and hated one another. That is who we were, but it is not who we are to be. God in His kindness, in His mercy, loved us enough to send His Son. So we must show the same type of kind mercy to others–by obedience to those who rule over us, showing kindness toward them. Then we must control our tongues, being kind to all men. God declares what we ought to do, and in turn what it will do for us and others. “He that followeth after righteousness and kindness findeth life, righteousness, and honor.” Be kind as your Heavenly Father is kind.
Grace and Peace,
