Kindness in Action

During this season of covid, we can express kindness by remembering those who are in isolation or who are fighting sickness. A kind note, text or phone call can emotionally encourage one who is alone at home or in the hospital. A tasty meal or a bag of groceries can practically assist someone who is unable to leave their home to shop for groceries. Let us be kind, loving and sensitive to those around us.

Kindness Defined

Webster states kindness is an “act of good will; that disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses; any act of benevolence which promotes the happiness or welfare of others.”

Foundational Thoughts on Kindness

“Tender concern for others, reflected in a desire to treat others gently, just as the Lord treats all believers.” [MacArthur 1676]

“Believers imitate Christ through ‘kindness.’ By His grace and kindness, God brought us repentance and faith in Christ (Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4). We [need to] be marked by lives of kindness expressed through acts of service, generosity, and hospitality.” [Platt 2261]

“Kindness speaks of the unselfish spirit of doing for others. It is an attitude of affection or goodwill.” [MacDonald 2059]

“In giving the Galatians a character portrait of the godly life, the apostle Paul was also giving the Galatians a portrait of the Holy Spirit! The character traits produced in the Christian are the traits of the Spirit. These are the same character traits of Christ Jesus, and of God the Father. God’s nature is what is being replicated in the person who believes in Jesus and seeks to be led by the Spirit.”

“The fruit that is born in the believer’s life is fruit that the Spirit produces. It is not fruit that can be manufactured by the believer’s will, intellect, desire, or effort. It is fruit that is produced as a person ‘walks in the Spirit’ and seeks to be led by the Spirit. Kindness is a sweetness of spirit that allows relationships to develop and flourish.” [Blackaby 58]

Kindness in the Word

“He has told us, what is good; and what does the Lord require of us, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God?” (Micah 6:8 NASB)

“Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 NASB)

Kindness Expressed by Attitude

“Kindness is gentleness, perhaps best explained in the attitude of the Lord toward little children.” [MacDonald 1924]

“Then some children were brought to Him [Jesus] so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ After laying His hands on them [praying a blessing], He departed from there.” (Matthew 19:13-15 WEB)

“Come to Me [Jesus], all who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [Jesus], for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 WEB)

Kindness Quotes

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. ~Henry Drummond

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. ~Washington Irving

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes; kindness in your smile. ~Mother Teresa

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain

I choose kindness…I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me. ~Max Lucado

The best portion of a good man’s life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts, of kindness and love. ~William Wordsworth

The smallest act of kindness is worth more that the grandest intention. ~Anonymous

Blessings and Prayers for Kindness

We thank You that, “When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us.” And we thank You that it is Your kindness which leads us to repentance and to everlasting life. And You desire to show us, “The surpassing riches of Your grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Titus 3:4-5a; Romans 2:4 Ephesians 2:7 NASB)

And we agree with Your Word, “Do not let kindness and truth leave us; we bind them around our neck, and we write them on the tablet of our heart.” You say, “What is desirable in a person is his kindness,” so we choose to be kind. We desire to “open our mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness to be on our tongue.” (Proverbs 3:3, 14:2, 19:22a, 31:26 NASB)

We thank You that Your “divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,” we desire to “apply all diligence in growing in brotherly kindness and love” that we might grow in our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, that we might express brotherly kindness to those around us and that we might bear good fruit. (2 Peter 1)

Recommendations

We are encouraged to live our life in Christ and to ‘put on’ or to ‘clothe ourselves’ with: a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness and love. You can read more about kindness and compassion here:

Kindness – One of 8 Garments to Wear https://strengthwithdignity.com/kindness-one-of-8-garments-to-wear/

Compassion – One of 8 Garments to Wear https:///strengthwithdignity.com/clothe-yourself-with-compassion/

Scriptures

Proverbs 3:3, 14:2, 19:22a, 31:26; Micah 6:8; Matthew 11:28-30, 19:13-15; Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:7, 4:32; Titus 3:4-5a; 2 Peter 1.

References

Blackaby, Henry, Richard, Thomas, Melvin and Norman. Encounters with God – The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians. Thomas Nelson, 2008. [Kindle Edition]

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Published by Thomas Nelson, 2005.

MacDonald, William. The Believer’s Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson, 2016.

New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Platt, David and Tony Merida. Christ-Centered Exposition – Exalting Jesus in Galatians. Published by B&H Publishing Group, 2014. [Kindle Edition]

Quotes on Kindness retrieved September 8, 2021 from https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-kindness/ and https://www.a-simple-christian.com/kindness-quotes.html

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved September 3, 2021 from http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/kindness

World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.

Note: Bible Scriptures were retrieved September 3, 2021 from https://www.biblegateway.com #bgbg2 #BibleGateway #BibleStudy