Skip to main content

just be kind


Christians never have the luxury of being unkind - Jerry Vines


One of my favorite preachers and mentors has quoted that so many times when I have been around him.  That preacher is Johnny Hunt.  He spells out this reality, and it continues to rung in my ears a lot these days.


Why don’t we have that luxury?  It is because God called us to live selfless lives, not selfish.  It is because the kindness that God extended to us can be given to others that desperately need God.  It is because in our kindness people find much more than kindness.


Ephesians 4:32  NLT

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.


The best understanding of kindness is wrapped in what God has done for us.  You have it.  Experience it.  Let that sink in.  Now, share that kind of kindness with the kind of people who need it so much. 


Philemon 1:10  NTL

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.


Some people don’t deserve us to be kind to them.  Is that true?  Not based on what God says.  In the verse above we find a man who is bitter toward another person who did them wrong.  No matter what be kind.  We never know what people are going through.


Remember what Peter asked Jesus about forgiving others.  When we think we are being generous to others, go and be generous more when you think you can’t or shouldn’t.


2 Timothy 2:24  NLT

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.


A real servant is one who seasons their life, their words, their actions, their thinking, their work, their relationships, their home and all they touch with kindness.  Just be kind.


Colossians 3:12  NLT

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.


Consider kindness in the same way you choose the clothes you put on.  Choose to be kind.  Put it on.  Give it out.


Proverbs 11:17  NLT

Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.


That is it.  Being kind leads to rewards.  Don’t be kind just to get rewards.  But be kind knowing that it is the right thing to do, and it will bring a blessing full circle back to you.


Be kind.  We don’t have the time to waste.  Influence others by giving to them what God has given to you.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

  John 13:4-5,14 NLT  So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow.  He served.  He valued and gave value to others.  That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet.  It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives.  Jesus said we should do this.  See the verse above.  Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!