"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS and PATIENCE. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
Today we'll look at the second article of clothing; KINDNESS.
KINDNESS: the state or quality of being kind
KIND: of a good or benevolent nature or disposition
BENEVOLENT: desiring to help others; charitable, characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings, friendly, doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitable
"You gave me life and showed me KINDNESS, and in your providence watched over my spirit." Job 10:12
"'For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting KINDNESS I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord your Redeemer." Isaiah 54:7-8
"I will tell of the KINDNESSES of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many KINDNESSES. He said, 'Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me'; and so he became their Savior." Isaiah 63:7-8
"This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises KINDNESS, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24
"The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing KINDNESS...'" Jeremiah 31:3
It is so good to reflect on the kindnesses of God, to remember how He has shown His kindness to those He loves.... to everyone. His kindness is exercised - shown to us, it is everlasting, they are many... His kindness is unfailing! God DELIGHTS in KINDNESS!
"Consider therefore the KINDNESS and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell,but KINDNESS to you, provided that you continue in his KINDNESS. Otherwise, you also will be cut off." Romans 11:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
We are called to be clothed in kindness. We should be devoted to doing these things - to being KIND. I challenge you, as well as myself, to lay ourselves down before Him and allow His Spirit to work in us.... and then may the fruit of KINDNESS flourish!
"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the KINDNESS and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." Titus 3:3-8
In His KINDNESS, He saved us! We serve a KIND God - may we reflect His KINDNESS to those around us. May we be clothed in it so that when others look at us they are seeing Him instead.
