Show God's Kindness

10-18-2010

Show God’s Kindness by Boyd Bailey


“The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness? ” 2 Samuel 9:3a

God’s kindness is unconventional, as it extends to the unexpecting and to the undeserving. God’s kindness is king because it has no bounds and it is not limited by past disagreements or conflicts. His kindness does not cower in a corner for fear of being taken advantage.

The kindness of God gets over grudges and reaches out to the unreachable. It transcends times of confusion and misunderstanding, and its design is to be distributed indiscriminately. Kings of kindness search out those who need it the most, and they don’t have to look very far to find those who need a tender touch.

Who are candidates for us to show God’s kindness? Everyone with whom we come in contact on a daily basis is a kindness candidate. The cashier at the retail store needs a kind smile. The server at the restaurant needs a kind commendation and a generous gratuity. An angry child needs kindness and love.

A discouraged spouse needs kind words of understanding, not a speech on what to do next. Employees need kind instruction, and employers need kind feedback. Friends need kind accountability, and extended family needs your kind presence. The poor need kindness and care, and the afflicted, suffering, and rejected need a boatload of kindness. We can be kind because the Lord has been kind to us.

His kindness is our unlimited reservoir of kindness. Without our Savior shedding His kindness on us, we have little capacity for kindness. It is because we have been blessed by the kindness of King Jesus that we are able to extend His eternal kindness to others. We don’t deserve it, but He allows us to feast with Him by faith. His blessing is bountiful to those who love His father.

For the sake of Christ, God extends His kindness to Christ’s friends. Our affiliation with Jesus opens wide the door to our heavenly Father’s kindness. That kindness flows to those who follow His son. Devotion to Jesus is a magnet for our Master’s kindness. Love Jesus, and the kindness of the Lord will flood your life and overflow into the dry, parched souls of those thirsting for kindness.

So, unleash the kindness of God on others. God’s kindness brings out the best in everyone. They may suspect your actions and question your motives because it is unusual to experience kindness that expects nothing in return. Some hurting and cynical people will have to get used to God’s kindness through you. It takes time to validate your vision for kindness in their life.

Therefore, do not grow weary in being kind to the one who is suspicious of kindness. The kindness of God leads to a change of mind about motives. It kills critical spirits and overcomes uncaring attitudes. Indeed, the kindness of God treats others as it wants to be treated; so don’t be surprised that in the long run, your kindness generates kindness. God designed His kindness to be deployed as soon as it’s received. In a culture of kindness, families and teams that fear God are forged.

The Bible says, “And God raised us up with Christ … 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 2:6a-7).