“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.“— Colossians 3:12, NIV
“Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence or learning,” wrote Frederick Faber, a 17th-century hymn writer.
A word loaded with emotion and meaning, kind is not always the gentle, casual adjective one might assume.
Kindness comes from compassion and tender mercy, demonstrated under challenging times. “Kind” is a word used to describe wine, which has grown mellow with maturity and lost its harshness. The literal interpretation of “kind” is what Jesus used to describe His yoke: “My yoke is easy” (Matthew 11:30).
Kindness is not only one of the fruits of the Spirit, the result of being full of God in human life; it is also a quality of God Himself, with powerful results. God’s kindness leads us to repentance, according to Romans 2:4 (NIV).
We can be witty and wise; we can win arguments and debates. We can even prove ourselves more charitable, virtuous, and disciplined than others. But most of that is forgotten, resented, or resisted if not done with a kind heart. A kind word or deed is almost always received, appreciated, and remembered, and reflects God’s Holy Spirit and His love.
A friend of mine says she advises her daughters to marry a kind man. Having received such a love, she knows that kindness will translate into patience and a selfless love that can survive storms and tribulations.
Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, an act of humble kindness. Their feet weren’t a matter of life and death. He was showing them kindness to demonstrate His love. “Now that you know these things,” He said, “you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). Kindness blesses others and does our own heart good as well.
“Do not be satisfied with loving people in your own mind. Love them until they feel your love.“—Mike Mason
