“Make sure you never pay back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15
“As God’s chosen people. holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, KINDNESS, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
“Your kindness should be known to all!” Philippians 4:5 (NAB)
KINDNESS IS
love in action. Kindness is a decision not a feeling.
Jesus’ Story of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37
3 POSSIBLE ATTITUDES TOWARD PEOPLE
• I CAN
keep my distance (avoidance). We must move against our fears.
“There was a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. It so happened that a Priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side.”Luke 10:30-31
• I CAN
be curious but uncaring (apathy). The slower we go. The more we see.
“In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, but then walked on by on the other side.” Luke 10:32
• I CAN
show kindness. Advice is the enemy of kindness.
“But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity.” Luke 10:33
“Always treat others as you would like them to treat you.” Matthew 7:12
“The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others…harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds!” Galatians 6:7b (Mes)
“Your own soul is nourished when you are kind.” Proverbs 11:17 (TLB)
HOW CAN I BECOME A KINDER PERSON?
1. I MUST SEE
the needs of people around me. People hide their needs, and we are in a hurry.
“When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him.” Luke 10:33
“Look out for the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 10:24 (NCV)
2. I MUST SYMPATHIZE
with their pain. Mirror other's emotions. We become aware by seeing. We care by listening.
“When he saw him, his heart was filled with compassion.” Luke 10:33
A KEY TO KINDNESS:
STOP ASKING:
what's wrong with them? We don't feel our way into an action. We act our way into a feeling.
START ASKING:
what happened to them?
“Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
.3. I MUST SEIZE
the moment to help (spontaneity). We must be willing to be interrupted.
“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.” Luke 10:34a
“Whenever we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it! But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.”Galatians 6:10 (NCV)
“Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them NOW.”Proverbs 3:27-28
4. I MUST SPEND
whatever it takes. There is always a cost to kindness.
“Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he gave the innkeeper some silver and told him to take care of the man. He said, ‘‘If his bill runs higher than that, I'll pay the difference the next time I am here.’”Luke 10:34-35
“Jesus asked, ‘Which of these 3 people would you say was a true neighbor to the one attacked?’ The man said, ‘The one who showed him kindness.’ Jesus replied, ‘You’re Right! Now YOU GO & DO the same!’”Luke 10:36-37
“Being kind to the people in need is like lending to the Lord, and He will repay you for the kindness you have shown.” Proverbs 19:17 (NCV)
“God saved you through faith as an act of his kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God.” Ephesians 2:8 (GW)
