SYNOPSIS: Love is the true essence of Christianity, Jesus taught. But love is no vague notion in the Bible; it’s an action. And there is a word for love-in-action in scripture, and it’s called kindness. Love and kindness go together, and kindness is simply put, love acting out. Furthermore, among other things, kindness is rooted in compassion (to feel in your guts, literally) and it is expressed in the most compelling of ways, through forgiveness. Kindness: your love acting out in compassion and forgiveness. Hebrews 10:24 says, “In response to all God has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind…” (TLB) In other words, in gratitude for all that God has done for us, you and I are to engage in a “competition of kindness” with one another. What do you say that go for the gold in that competition!
Project 52—Memorize:
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
One day a man came to Jesus and said “Lord, what’s the most important verse in the whole Bible.” Jesus said “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. That summarizes the entire Bible.” (Matthew 22:36-40, Free Translation)
That’s the whole essence of Christianity. Jesus was saying that nothing matters more in life than relationships—with God, first, and with others running a close second. You can be successful in every other area of life, but if you are failing in your relationships, you are in danger of failure in God’s book. Galatians 4:14 puts it succinctly yet powerfully: “For the whole Bible is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Jesus said the identifying hallmark of authentic Christianity, is love. John 13:35 says, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Not that you have Bible knowledge, not that you give money to start churches in the unreached world, not that you are a deacon or teacher or soloist in your church, but that you love.
Now there is a word for love in action in the Bible, and it’s called kindness. Love and kindness go together, and kindness is simply love in action. Furthermore, Paul indicates that kindness, among other things, is rooted in compassion (to feel in your guts, literally) and expressed in the most compelling way of all, through forgiveness. Love in action: kindness, compassion, forgiveness. Titus 3:4-5 reminds us, “when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us…”
When you are kind, love moves beyond thought or feeling and you take action in a practical way. There is so much power in kindness because our world knows very little about genuine kindness. It knows a lot about selfishness, violence, and hatred. That’s why what the world needs more than anything else right now is massive doses of kindness, and Christians ought to be leading the way, showing our world this kind of love in action. You and I have the power to change a life, a community, a world—not by political power, not by imposing our will, not by enormous resources—but by Spirit-empowered acts of kindness.
It might be interesting to note that the Greek word for kindness is “chrestos”. That’s just one letter different from the Greek word for Christ, “Christos”. When the first church began 2000 years ago, chrestos and Christos were often confused in the Roman Empire—they thought Christians were simply people who believed in kindness. It was known as the “kind religion.” What a thing to be confused with! And what a powerful thing their kindness was, In a mere 300 years, this small band of kind ones won over a hostile empire.
Has anyone ever confused your Christianity with kindness? The truth is, our lives will be evaluated not just on what we said we believed, but on how we treated other people. This isn’t just some minor issue, it’s the heart of Christianity. The core of our faith is this love in action. And at the nucleus of love in action is kindness. In the Living Bible, Hebrews 10:24 says, “In response to all God has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind…”
God says in light of what He’s done for us, we are to engage in a “competition of kindness” with one another.
I hope you go for the gold in that competition.
“Because of God’s deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others…” ~Colossians 3:12 (LB)
Who needs your proactive and practical kindness today? Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” So, get after it!
A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve. —Joseph Joubert.