Does Kindness Characterize You?
If you know the least bit about the Bible you know it advocates kindness as a trait of God. However, when what many people know of the Bible is considered, it must be acknowledged that little is known about the Bible by many persons. One person was asked to describe the wife of Lot. He mixed his metaphors in answering, “She was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire by night.”
The works of the flesh are noted in Galatians 5: 19 – 21: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, adultery, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Downers aren’t they!
At the opposite end of the spectrum from these works of evil are acts of kindness noted in Colossians 3: 12 – 14: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Uppers aren’t they!
These items constitute a worthy wardrobe because they are traits of our Lord. Kindness is not only a characteristic, it is conduct.
Kindness prompts us to be considerate of another’s welfare, character, and general well being.
George Whitfield and John Wesley were contemporary spiritual giants. They had several major theological differences. A reporter once asked Wesley if he expected to see Whitfield in heaven.
“No, I certainly don’t,” replied Wesley instantly.
“Well, then,” said the reporter, “do you think Mr. Whitfield is a converted man?”
“Of course he is a converted man,” said Wesley, “but I don’t expect to see him in heaven because he will be so close to the throne of God that from the distance I will be I will not be able to see him.”
He disagreed with Whitfield on doctrine, but was kind to him as a brother. He was gentle with his reputation as a brother and would do nothing to impugn his character. Learn from his example how to live as a showroom of the traits of kindness noted above in Colossians 3: 12 – 14. Go back and reflect on them and commit to them.