…[clothe yourselves with] … kindness …
Summary: The word “kindness” can mean different things depending on who is being kind to whom. However, when it comes to godly kindness there is only one standard, and God wrote the book on it.
When you think about the word “kindness,” what examples come to mind? Do you think of something someone has done for you, or does your mind go to things you have done for others?
What kind of thing comes to mind these days? If I pay for your coffee, is that a kindness? What if I make you smile with a kind word or hold the door for you?
“Kindness” is one of those words that sounds simple and obvious, but in practice, it can be hard to pin down.
The word Paul used in Greek is “chrēstótēs,” which can mean morally excellent, gentle, good, and kind. This gives us something to work with as we try to figure out what, exactly, we are supposed to clothe ourselves with.
Moral excellence suggests the use of a “moral compass.” This immediately forces us to ask the question, “Whose moral compass should we use?”
“Whose moral compass should we use?”
Our default answer to this question is always going to be “Mine!” Unfortunately, that is not the right answer in this case. If we are God’s children and citizens of the Kingdom of God, we need to honor God’s values and use his moral compass.
For the same reasons, we need to use God’s definitions of “excellence,” “gentleness,” “goodness,” and “kindness” as well. After all, we believers are part of the Body of Christ, right? (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Would Jesus “get back” at someone who was rude to him at the office? Would he look away while walking past someone in need? Can you picture Jesus making an “off color” joke or having fun at someone’s expense? (“Did you hear about the blind Pharisee? They called him a ‘Phari-couldn’t-see!’”)
Of course, Jesus wouldn’t act that way! God’s moral compass always points to “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
If we serve the Living God, we put God first in our lives. That means using God’s moral compass instead of our own. Instead of “getting even,” we “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39).
When our inner “self” wants to get angry, we remember Jesus’ words about the “fire of hell” (Matthew 5:22).
Where we find hate in the world, kindness finds a way to love those who hate (Matthew 5:44).
Real kindness is more than human kindness. It is godly kindness.
Application: Be perfect, (with God’s help), as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
Food for Thought: If the church universal wore godly kindness as a cloak, how would that impact the world we live in?
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Thank yoy for being a SHINING EXAMPLE OF GOD’S KINDNESS. MAY THE LORD RICHLY REWARD AND BLESS YOU: CONTINUE TO USE YOU TO BRING GLORY AND HONOR TO HIMSELF; AND BLESS, KEEP, PROTECT AND USE YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD IN GREATER, MORE AMAZING AND PHENOMENAL WAYS BEYOND YOUR CAPACITY TO KNOW, OR EVEN UNDERSTAND. MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU. AMEN.
Thank you for the good devotional and for breaking down the Greek word.
There is not much kindness today. If we practice kindness people will definitely take note as they will be the recipients. It would speak volumes to who Christ is through us. That is a great reason to practical kindness today. And kindness is a choice and the same Greek word is used in the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: 22. So we can choose to be kind today through the power of the Holy Spirit.