Love is Kind

For His loving kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting.

Psalm 117:2

Our 5th gift of Christmas is God’s unfailing kindness!  Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate and through my experiences, thus far, I am most certain that He fits that description.  Proverbs 17:17 states that, a friend loves at all times.  In our recent discussions of God’s gift of love it is very clear that God is our friend.  He is also clearly generous, who of you would give your child as a sacrifice for the world?  So that leaves us with considerate.  God is considerate of our feelings and especially our salvation.  Like Mary mentioned yesterday He is very patient with us because He loves us and wants us to find Him.  That sounds like a considerate friend to me!  Someone who wants what is best for us.  A man who cares about who we are, who will do anything to help us become that person.  Yes, my dear friends, God is kind!  

Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty.  He has done this through Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24

Jesus Christ was given to us as a gift of love from Our Father.  God was reaching out to us.  His kindness was poured out on the night Jesus was born and we were given a savior.  God waits on us.  He waits for us to chose His gift of Christ and then He helps us........it is a beautiful thing.  Jesus and what He came to earth to represent was the hugest act of kindness that we could ever receive. 

And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7

Kindness isn’t something made just for receiving.  Kindness is a gift to be passed on.  God is kind to us not only because He loves us but also to show us how to be kind to others.  We are to treat people the way we would want to be treated.  God showed His love by being kind.  He withheld severe punishment at times, He allowed barren women to conceive children, He saved the israelites from slavery and lead them to the Promised Land, He answered prayers.......the list goes on and on.  God is kind and it shows through His provision.  God’s kindness is evident in His genuine love for us.  And now it is our turn to return that love to others and show them kindness, expecting nothing in return.  Just like God, we are called to show kindness to the unkind (Luke 6:35)  We are expected to be kind to those we love and those we do not know.  Through that kindness we are sharing God.  

Yes, a lot of the things we have been discussing go hand in hand.  You can’t have love without kindness following.  You can’t have patience without learning joy.   It is so important to understand each of these gifts as they stand alone.  The better we get to know each gift individually the better we will accept each gift and use each gift.  The more we recognize God as the giver of these gifts the more we can do with these gifts. Thank God today for the gift of His kindness.  Think back at the many things He has done to show His kindness to you or the people you know and love.  Write them down.  Share these things with someone who needs to hear of the kindness God provides.  Share them with someone who needs hope, or encouragement.  Share with the world that God is your refuge and He is kind!

How precious is your loving kindness, O God!  And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  

Psalm 36:7 

(First Published December 17, 2013)