Young Adults' Group

The Beauty Of Kindness

by Pastor Mark
October 07, 2021

The challenge to be kind in an unkind world

It is indeed a challenge to live in this “ugly” world. Some people are angry and cantankerous. Others use words against each other that are cutting and hurtful. The world that we live in is most unkind and unloving. The danger is that we can also end up being like the world.

The challenge is to live our life differently from the world by bearing the fruit of kindness (Gal 5:22). Pastor Charles taught last Sunday about what this kindness is all about. The Greek word “chrestotes” has an ending that indicates a distinct quality. It is not a reference to general kindness but the special quality of kindness. This kindness is associated with goodness, graciousness and generosity. One thing that stood out to me about kindness is its beauty. Let us be challenged to understand and appreciate the beauty of kindness.

The glorious beauty of kindness

1. Divine kindness

“that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:7)

There is the divine kindness of God. The Apostle Paul described this amazing kindness of God in our salvation. Once, we were dead in our trespasses and sins, but God showed His great love to us as He made us come alive, raised us and made us sit before God (Eph 2:4–6). Furthermore, there is the extra work that the Lord does. In the age to come, He would show His exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us. This kindness that is shown is of the greatest quality. It involves the exceeding riches of God’s grace. Grace is given to a significant level. I was blown away by this uplifting thought of the divine quality of kindness that God gives in our salvation. Let us truly appreciate the beauty of His divine kindness.

2. Human kindness

It is when we appreciate the kindness of God that we would learn to show human kindness. This is how we should develop kindness as a fruit of the Spirit in our life. Paul set the example of showing kindness in his life. He wrote of how as a minister of God, he had to go through many forms of suffering such as tribulations, needs, distresses, stripes and more (2 Cor 6:4). But he sought to display different virtues such as kindness in going through all those sufferings (2 Cor 6:6). Let us be inspired by the beauty of kindness seen in the life of Paul. Let us cultivate the fruit of kindness in our life as we face the challenges of life.

3. A workmanship of God

The cultivation of kindness should be seen as part of the beautiful work that God does in our life. Paul wrote that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10). Kindness is to be seen as part of the work that God does in our lives…in our salvation and His continuing work till we become a “poiema”…a beautiful “poem” that He wants us to be. This fresh understanding concerning Ephesians 2:10 resonated much with me as this was the verse that Chen Kee and I had chosen to focus on for our wedding. Over these last two decades of marriage, we thank God for the kindness that He has shown in our lives. As a response, our desire is to continue to be kind to each other and to show His wonderful kindness to others who may come along our way.

Let us be challenged to make this world a more beautiful and kinder place by appreciating the kindness of God given to us and showing His kindness to the world.

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