Clothed in Kindness

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”  (Colossians 3:12, ESV)

Can you remember a time when someone showed kindness to you? It happened to me today. While driving down the interstate, traffic slowed as we approached some road construction. Another driver kindly allowed me space to merge into another lane. Yes, it was a small act, but it was helpful. Last week, a friend saw one of my favorite kinds of pie while shopping. She bought one and then delivered it to me. She went out of her way to be thoughtful and kind. These were small things, but brightened my day.

The dictionary definition of kindness is “the quality of being generous, helpful, and caring about other people, or an act showing this quality” (Cambridge Dictionary).

BIBLICAL KINDNESS

When Galatians 5:22-23 names the fruit of the Spirit, we see that kindness is one of the attributes. These nine characteristics are so interwoven that they cannot be separated. They are one fruit all wrapped up in a single package. If we are walking in the Spirit, each attribute should be evident in our lives.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Someone once described kindness as “compassion in action.” While this may not be the dictionary definition, I think this is how the Lord views it. Yes, small, unexpected kind acts brighten our day. They may even begin a ripple effect of kindness that flows out to others. But biblical kindness goes much deeper than buying a cup of coffee for the person behind us in line. It is more than just “being nice” to others whether we like them or not. First Corinthians 13:4 tells us that “love is patient and kind.” Biblical kindness is given with love.

KINDNESS CAN BE COSTLY

Colossians 3:12 tell us to put on, or clothe ourselves, in kindness. This is more than holding a door open for someone or motioning for them to go ahead of us in the checkout line. Biblical kindness goes deeper and is often costly. It requires sacrifice.

When the woman in Matthew 26 poured an alabaster box of expensive ointment over Jesus, His disciples complained that it was a terrible waste. Yes, her action was costly, but Jesus said, “She has done a beautiful thing to me” (verse 10, ESV).

When Ruth left her homeland to accompany her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Bethlehem, it was a loving, sacrificial act. She left behind family, friends, and everything familiar. Ruth willingly worked in the harvest fields to provide food for them. She acted out of love, not out of expectation of something in return.

King David brought Mephibosheth, the disabled son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, to the palace and honored him with a place at his table. David also restored the family lands to Mephibosheth. David did all this to fulfill a vow he had made to Jonathan years earlier. He had promised to always show kindness toward Jonathan’s family. David could have chosen to ignore the vow since Jonathan was dead. Instead, he went out of his way to extend kindness to his friend’s son. (Read II Samuel 9.)

OUR RESPONSE

When God nudges us to reach out and touch someone with kindness, it may not be convenient or comfortable. Biblical kindness often means sacrificing our time, our energy, and sometimes our finances for another’s wellbeing. But this is what the Lord would do Himself. We are following His example.

Proverbs 11:17 says that when we are kind to others, we nourish our own soul. Kindness does as much, or more, for the giver as for the receiver. When we put on the garment of kindness, we enrich our lives as we bless others. As Jesus said, it is a beautiful thing.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, use me today to show someone Your loving kindness. Help me to slow down and respond to those who desperately need to feel Your touch today. I want to follow Your example in all I do.

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk