Becoming Like JesusНамуна

Kindness

When we think of kindness in our culture, we may think of someone friendly, considerate, or thoughtful. While those qualities are accurate, as we continue to explore our foundational passage, let’s see how the Bible expands our understanding of kindness.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness…” Colossians 3:12

Biblical kindness is more than just friendliness. The Greek word translated as “kindness” has an element of acting out of loving affection in other’s best interests. The ancient writers defined kindness as “the virtue of the man whose neighbor’s good is as dear to him as his own.”

We see this demonstrated in Psalm 141:5, when David declares, “let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.” Here we see that David recognized that acting for his good isn’t simply being friendly or encouraging, but rather helping guide him down the path of righteousness. It is important to note that when acting for the good of others, biblical kindness requires that we exercise our words and actions in a distinct tone: specifically with the attributes of loving affection, sympathy, patience, and gentleness.

We see Jesus act in kindness throughout the gospels. He sat with the Samaritan woman when others shunned her. Jesus touched the leper when everyone else rejected him. He befriended Zaccheaus when others looked down upon him. He offered grace to the woman caught in adultery when everyone else stood in judgment.

Every time Jesus acted in kindness, He did so because their good was at the forefront of his mind. What was that good? Ultimately, He was concerned about their soul. While he would have been justified to respond in a myriad of other ways, Jesus knew extending kindness to those around Him would help lead them to repentance and eventually to a loving relationship with God.

I pray that as we engage with others - whether in person or on social media – we remember that we are ambassadors for Jesus and therefore called to act with loving affection in the best interests of others. How we treat others can either help lead them to Christ or away from Him.