1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NLT “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!”
When you are so caught up in the love of God, it becomes impossible to get offended. Unaffected by circumstances and attitudes around you. It is in fact, walking in the perfect will of God, as you walk in His Love.
2 Chronicles 5:13-14 NLT “The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.”
James 1:17 NLT “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
Kindness is the heart’s desire to see good things happen to people, and goodness is expressing this desire.
God has good will towards men (Lk. 2:14) – He displayed His will in sending Jesus to redeem mankind on the cross, so people could come and receive forgiveness!
As fathers and mothers, we have kindness towards our children, and even during Christmas time we demonstrate it by showing goodness.
God’s love is unconditional. His goodness leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4).
Romans 5:8 KJV “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Living according to your new nature (2. Peter 1:4, 2. Cor. 5:17) you display goodness towards others!
Titus 3:3-6 AMPC “For we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; [we too were once] slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
Kindness and goodness will prepare hearts for the Gospel, then people will be drawn to your heavenly Father.
That’s what it means to be the light and the salt of the earth:
Matthew 5:13-16 KJV “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
As we display kindness and goodness, it will bring glory to God.
Ephesians 4:32 KJV “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Forgiveness, blessing one another, pray fervently for others<nd intercession means to take a place of another in prayer. In love (unselfish way).
You can’t control how people act, but by kindness, you can grow in how you respond!
Philippians 2:14-15 KJV “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”
With a heart of kindness, we can keep shining! And Lord can use us!
Say:
“I’m loving and kind!”
“I am useful in the Kingdom of God!”
- Such kindness, that everything changes!
- Demonstrated by overflowing goodness!
Kindness in the family:
- Those are the most precious people to you, who you love, who you spend most time with.
- (Everyone has things that irritate them, lot in families, as you are close and know them better than others. So more reason to grow in kindness and goodness!)
- Keep your words edifying, by growing in kindness!
Ephesians 4:29 NLT “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
- Same applies to talk that causes division in the church, when you have a kind heart and attitude, you won’t tear down with your words.
Staying full of kindness and displaying goodness:
- Keep your heart pure. Don’t hold on to any unforgiveness, bitterness or resentment. (“Love worketh no ill will..” Rom. 13:10) Do what you have to do! Pray, fast, give, be a blessing!
- Stay free of offenses. Whether it’s a real thing (that someone did) or something that upset you that isn’t even grounded in reality: choose to stay free from offenses! Stay with the Word of God. Solid foundation in Word of God will establish you and your confidence will be in God and in His love.
- Freedom from fear (2. Tim. 1:7). Righteous is bold like a lion (Pro. 28:1). Confront anything you’re afraid! And allow God to use you through kindness and goodness!
Jesus with the rich young ruler:
Mark 10:21 KJV “Then Jesus beholding him **loved him**, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
Jesus was always moved by love, and He was kind, even when talking to ones who didn’t want to hear His instructions.