What Jesus said about ... kindness,
"And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it is said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:40-43
Kindness is a difficult concept to explain. I guess it goes hand-in-hand with "loving" other people, besides your immediate family and friends. Loving, in the sense of caring for them. For example, we might see a homeless person or a beggar in the street and we might feel sorry for them. But we do nothing. Is that "caring" really? Is it kindness? We might know some elderly people living alone, and we might be "concerned" about their vulnerability and weakness; and we do nothing. Is that kindness?
Should kindness be measured by our actions and not our feelings? If so, then how many of us are not kind at all?
There's a big difference between being kind and being nice. Being nice is the way we are seen by others. We are popular, liked, good to be with, people look forward to meeting us because we are fun and the life and soul of the party.
But are we kind? What is kindness in our life and how do we portray that kindness towards others?
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” Matthew 7:12
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
NOTE: This post is part of a series of articles entitled "What Jesus said about ..." If you click the label "What Jesus said" at the end of the article you'll be able to access all the articles.
ReplyDelete...conservation Christians in the US haven't read or subscribed to Matthew 7:12 or Corinthians 13:4-7!
ReplyDeleteWe need to live as a good example to others.
DeleteGod bless, Tom.
This series is so enlightening, Victor. Are we really showing kindness to others when we do nothing? I don't think so, but I do hope God will forgive us when we fail to do so. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly, Martha. There are so many kind people in the world who do nothing. They sympathise from a comfortable seat in front of the TV with popcorn and wine.
DeleteGod bless.
I love these questions and answers. It is easy to be kind to those who are kind to us - but real kindness is being kind when it hurts sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI agree Chatty Crone. For example, giving away old clothes to the poor is not kindness. All we're doing is getting rid of something we do not want. How about giving when it hurts! As you say.
DeleteGod bless you.
Sadly leadership is failing us
ReplyDeleteWhen life fails us; pray and pray some more.
DeleteGod bless Cloudia.
Hard questions ... that deserve soul-searching.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder if kindness doesn't mean NOT sharply responding to another (online) when their views differ greatly from our own. Deep breaths ... and prayer.
Oh dear ... I hope I have not done this to you, Mevely. If ever my comments have been unkind I am sorry. Did not mean to offend. I know that on another media platform I have been called bad names and insults. I usually don't respond or get into a debate.
DeleteGod bless always.
Oh no, not you Victor! You've been nothing but kind; insightful, too.
DeletePhew !!! What a relief. Thank you, Mevely. God bless you and your family always.
DeleteIt's sad that we have to think about being kind. It should be already ingrained in our lives but unfortunately it's not.
ReplyDeleteSo well said, Bill. Thank you so much. Yes, we have forgotten to be kind. We've become too selfish as a society. It's everyone for himself in this modern new world.
DeleteGod bless you, my friend.
I've come across many kind people I'm happy to say. Kindness should be acts not thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it should be an act, not a thought or just a wish to help. Sadly, sometimes action is slow with some people.
DeleteGod bless you, K. Best wishes.
We can't help everyone, but kindness is stepping in and helping when the opportunity is in front of us.
ReplyDeleteYes, well said. Where we can we must "step in" and help in a practical way.
DeleteGod bless, Mimi.
Love and kindness always. ❤️
ReplyDeleteGod bless, CM.
DeleteHe said somethings that are tough to follow and this is one. IO am thanking you for reminding me. Just a couple years ago as a handy man, I used to go to the pastor of the church we visited and asked if anyone needed help that could not afford it. At times we have driven thousands of miles to help someone. I need to get back in the groove. Thanks my friend. This is good stuff and I needed it.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again for your comment, Jack. I know of people who regularly go out in the evenings to feed the homeless. Or who visit the elderly and help where they can. That's practical kindness rather than "feelings" kindness. Thank you fro all the good works you do.
DeleteGod bless you and Sherry.
thecontemplativecat here. We had to memorize that scripture when I was about 13, and it resonates still. Being kind is one of the gifts we can give to those around us.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Susan. Kindness is not kind unless it is practical.
DeleteGod bless you.
Nice post Victor, we only have to look at how Jesus lived His life on earth to understand what true kindness is. God bless you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Let us, as far as we can, imitate Jesus in our behaviour towards each other.
DeleteGod bless, Brenda.
Love the enemy, I'm finding in todays climate; I'm not able to do that. I used to be much more open; but currently I'm very concerned about what's happening and I guess I'm just not as loving. I do always enjoy your posts, they give pause, and something to ponder.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy for your honest comment. I understand how you feel about this. It is often very difficult to love one's enemies, especially when they continue with their wrong-doings. I shall post an article about this here on this Blog tomorrow.
DeletePraying for you. God bless.
You have clearly defined Kindness and Nice in this post, Victor. I had not thought to compare the 2 words before. It would seem that kindness is a better character trait to strive for than just being nice. Thanks for these thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMany thanx Barbara. Yes, I always felt that kindness is "doing" something to help someone in need. Many people are nice to be with but they would probably not go out of their way to help.
DeleteGod bless you.
Biblical kindness goes beyond simply being nice. It is rooted in the character of God and is an expression of His love and grace.
ReplyDeleteInteresting- I’m enjoying all the food for thought.
Debby
Amen Debby. Kindness is an act that we perform onto others. We notice their needs and we respond accordingly.
DeleteThank you for your kind words. God bless you.