The Call to Kindness
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another.” - Colossians 3:12
The word “good” in the Bible is often synonymous with “kindness”—a concept that’s central to the Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5. This connection reveals that kindness is not just a nice-to-have trait; it’s an essential aspect of living a Spirit-filled life. Yet, kindness can seem rare because it’s not something that comes naturally to us.
Paul’s message in Romans 3 highlights that none of us, on our own, naturally exhibit the kindness of God. Our sinful nature has tainted our ability to be naturally kind, which is why we need the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. God knew this and provided us with His Spirit to replace our fleshly tendencies with supernatural qualities.
That’s why the Bible often reminds us of what the Spirit-filled life should look like. In Colossians 3:12, Paul instructs us to “put on” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues are not our default settings; they require intentionality. Just like you choose your clothes each day, you must choose to “put on” kindness.
Our natural tendencies are far from kind, they’re often selfish and sinful. To reflect the life God desires for us, we need to shed those “old clothes” and replace them with “new clothes” of righteousness. This transformation isn’t something we can achieve on our own; it’s fueled by the power of God and the Fruit of the Spirit.
Jesus gave us a perfect example of kindness through the Golden Rule, as recorded in Luke 6:31: “Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.” This rule encapsulates the essence of kindness, treating others with the same compassion and respect you wish to receive.
Today, as you go about your day, remember that kindness is more than a fleeting feeling, it’s a deliberate choice. With the Holy Spirit guiding you, you can put on the new self, embodying kindness and making a difference in the lives of those around you. Let your life reflect the kindness of Christ, and in doing so, become a living testimony of His love and grace.
The word “good” in the Bible is often synonymous with “kindness”—a concept that’s central to the Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5. This connection reveals that kindness is not just a nice-to-have trait; it’s an essential aspect of living a Spirit-filled life. Yet, kindness can seem rare because it’s not something that comes naturally to us.
Paul’s message in Romans 3 highlights that none of us, on our own, naturally exhibit the kindness of God. Our sinful nature has tainted our ability to be naturally kind, which is why we need the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. God knew this and provided us with His Spirit to replace our fleshly tendencies with supernatural qualities.
That’s why the Bible often reminds us of what the Spirit-filled life should look like. In Colossians 3:12, Paul instructs us to “put on” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues are not our default settings; they require intentionality. Just like you choose your clothes each day, you must choose to “put on” kindness.
Our natural tendencies are far from kind, they’re often selfish and sinful. To reflect the life God desires for us, we need to shed those “old clothes” and replace them with “new clothes” of righteousness. This transformation isn’t something we can achieve on our own; it’s fueled by the power of God and the Fruit of the Spirit.
Jesus gave us a perfect example of kindness through the Golden Rule, as recorded in Luke 6:31: “Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.” This rule encapsulates the essence of kindness, treating others with the same compassion and respect you wish to receive.
Today, as you go about your day, remember that kindness is more than a fleeting feeling, it’s a deliberate choice. With the Holy Spirit guiding you, you can put on the new self, embodying kindness and making a difference in the lives of those around you. Let your life reflect the kindness of Christ, and in doing so, become a living testimony of His love and grace.
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