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A Lifestyle of Kindness

 Kindness is defined by Webster as “a kind act or treatment; kind feeling, affection, good will”.

He adds that “kind” means “sympathetic, friendly, gentle, tenderhearted, generous, affectionate, well-disposed, or courteous”.

The Hebrew root word (#2616) means “to bow the neck in courtesy to an equal; to be kind; to show mercy” (Genesis 20:13; Ruth 2:20; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 31:21; Proverbs 31:26; Isaiah 54:8, 10; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).

This Old Testament word (“hesed”), also rendered as mercy or love, is basically a covenantal word and emphasizes fidelity to covenantal obligations.

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There are three Greek words for kindness in the N. T.:

#5363   =  Philanthropia = “fondness of mankind or benevolence”   Acts 28:2; Titus 3:4

#5544   =  Chrestotes     = “usefulness; moral excellence (in character or demeanor); goodness, gentleness” – Romans 2:4; 3:12; Rom 11:22; II Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:7;  Colossians 3:12; Titus 3:4

#5360   =  Philadelphia  = “fraternal affection, or brotherly kindness” Romans 12:10; I Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; I Peter 1:22; II Peter 1:7

Kindness is an attribute of God.  It is part of the Divine nature.  You can be a partaker of that according to

(2 Peter 1:3-4).  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

It is natural for the old man to be cruel and harsh.  It is natural for the new man to be kind and loving!

Friend, young man, don’t think like the world thinks!  Be the kind of son that your Heavenly Father is pleased with Matthew 3:17; Revelation 4:11.  It isn’t macho for a young man to be kind, but real manhood in the Bible is marked by tenderness.  As Ed Cole once wrote “Manhood and Christ likeness are synonymous”

This is exemplified in the book of Ruth by Boaz, a type of Jesus Christ, our kinsman-redeemer

Galatians 3:13-14.  Jesus, revealed Himself to be the kindest person in the universe.  He

poured that out at the Cross in your behalf.  We are exhorted to be kind and tenderhearted

as was our Lord Ephesians 4:29-32. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ladies, you are called by the Lord to become a virtuous woman.  The Bible says that in her mouth (or speech) is the law or principle of kindness Proverbs 31:26. “She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”   Isaiah 50:4 In your maturing, marriage and life, you will have in your mouth the ability to build up or tear down your husband, your household and your peers with the words that you speak Proverbs 14:1The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.  .

Here are three good guidelines to insure that your words are kind.  Before your speak, ask yourself these questions:

–                      Is it true?

–                      Is it kind?

–                      Is it necessary?

Don’t think for a minute that kindness is part of being a good humanitarian.  Some will say, “Wasn’t he a kind person?”  Kindness is only possible in your life through the enabling of the Holy Ghost.  Let God pour Himself into you and then use you as an able minister or dispenser of the New Covenant.  Kindness will then pour forth from your heart Romans 5:5 and out of your innermost being will flow the tender mercies of our King!

You will never minister His kindness until you have tasted of His love to you.

The Kingdom of darkness thrives upon fear and intimidation.  It rules the minds of young and older people with hate and tyranny Ephesians 2:1-3.  Thank God that Jesus has defeated Satan and broken the shackles of fear and bondage, Matthew 12:24-33; I John 3:8 !  He has bought us out of that darkness (ignorance)and into His marvelous light (understanding).

I Peter 2:9-10  But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

 The Kingdom of God takes dominion in the earth through the power of the love of God

John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

Which king rules you?

Are you an instrument of life or death?  What kind of words flow from your mouth to your peers, friends colleagues, parents etc? I want to challenge you to be different in your kindness!  Speak Godly words to someone today! Lift them up, ask the Holy Spirit to give you utterances of wisdom and edification wrapped in His kindness and grace

Questions maybe you need to consider today:

Have I experienced the love of God?

How do I treat my peers?

Is it “cool” to be cruel, am I suffering from a “mucho” or a fear of been

rejected complex ?

I guarantee people will be drawn to Christ’s kindness in and through you more than any other attitude you might reveal. Kindness has the potential of shutting doors of Rejection, Loneliness, Self-centeredness, Fear and even Pride from working in your life as you pour out of yourself.

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