Living Loved Part 2: Kindness: being kind and considerate

We each have identity in Christ. 

We are chosen. We are holy. We are dearly loved.  

As we live in love relationship with Jesus, we grow in Him and reflect His character in our own lives. Living loved is not only knowing we are loved by Jesus, but letting His love define and direct us. 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12, NIV

In the last post, we looked at the compassion God has for us, and the call we have in Him to live compassionately towards others. The next characteristic we see is kindness.

​Biblical kindness is about more than just being nice to people. It is about our heart and character.

In the verse from Colossians 3, the word “kindness” comes from the greek word chrestotes. This word speaks of the virtue of kindness not only as it relates to a person’s words and deeds, but as it relates to their very character. It is a virtue that encompasses the whole nature of a person, diminishing that which is harsh and cruel, and showing itself in encouraging, friendly, respectful, and helpful actions and attitudes towards others. Kindness is striving to act and speak in ways that benefit and bless others. To be kind is to have a helpful and considerate nature. Kindness is selfless rather than selfish. 

There are many Scriptures that describe God as being kind toward us:

“‘With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,’ says the Lord your Redeemer.” Isaiah 54:8, NIV

​“‘I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:24, NIV

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3, NIV

“When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Titus 3:4-5, NIV

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6-7, NIV

The kindness of God is eternal and unfailing, and it is an expression of His compassion, love, mercy, and grace. God delights in being kind to His children. He is kind even though we don’t deserve His kindness, nor can we earn it.

​Luke 6:35 tells us that God is kind even to those who are ungrateful and live in ways contrary to His will. For kindness is God’s way of drawing people to Himself; of leading people to repentance. (Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 2:4) 

Luke 6:35 also tell us that we are to reflect God’s kind nature by expressing kindness in our interactions with others, and in doing so, we are living as God’s children:

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.” Luke 6:35, NLT

A little earlier in Luke 6, we read, “I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.” (vv. 27-29, NLT) 

​These verses are not saying we are to let people walk all over us and take advantage of us. Rather, these verses are speaking not only of kind actions, but of a kind heart; a heart that doesn’t have harshness or cruelty in it, and so it doesn’t even think to respond or retaliate in harsh, cruel, or vengeful ways. Instead, it responds with the opposite: kindness.  

In Galatians 5:22, kindness is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Kindness residing in our hearts and being shown in our actions is a result of God’s Spirit working in us. So by His Spirit in us, we can truly live in kindness towards everyone, even our enemies. 

Kindness towards others shows itself in many ways. There are several verses in Scripture that show us chrestotes in action: 

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25, NIV

​“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31, NLT

“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.” Philippians 4:5, NLT

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone”
2 Timothy 2:24, NIV

“Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”
1 Peter 2:17, NIV

“Be kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household].” 1 Peter 3:8, AMP

Kindness can be expressed in choosing not to quarrel, in speaking encouraging words, in respect towards family and those in authority, in being considerate of another’s needs, hopes, fears, and feelings, in serving and helping others, in being courteous and hospitable.

​One place in Scripture where we see chrestotes clearly demonstrated is in one of Jesus’ parables:

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” Luke 10:30-35, NIV

Both the priest and the Levite, the religious leaders, passed by. They are the ones who should have been kind. But we see them acting in a way that is anything but considerate, caring, and helpful.

​The Samaritan, however did not pass by. Which is surprising, because Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate with each other. Instead, the Samaritan took pity on the man and showed kindness by bandaging his wounds and paying for his care. This shows a kindness of heart, such that would not allow him to pass by one in need, even though they had their differences and disagreements.

Jesus told this parable to teach us what it really means to love our neighbors; not just those who live across the street, but all those we come into contact with. He teaches us that loving people means we show kindness to them, even if we have stark differences and disagreements.

When we are kind, we are living loved; we giving love. For love is kind. (1 Corinthians 13:4)  

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Proverbs 3:3, NLT

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