![]() ![]() It’s really hard to pray for someone who hates you and then do something good to them after what they’ve done to you, but that’s Jesus’ command. Jesus takes it to the extreme and tells us, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27), and even more contrary to the ways of the world, we are told to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:28). The danger is if we put ourselves up on a pedestal, it’s further to fall, but God “has told you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” ( Micah 6:8)?īeing kind to someone is more than saying thank you or opening the door for them. The Bible tells us we should esteem others better than ourselves, and not to think too highly of ourselves. These things don’t put themselves on…we must do that ourselves and be kind and compassionate toward others. ![]() The Apostle Paul wrote that we must make an effort to show compassion, taking the initiative, because he says we must “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” ( Colossians 3:12). The word “compassion” is a compound of two separate words com (with) and passion (passion, love, care, concern, etc.), and the world could use a lot more compassion. Being generous to the poor is seen as helping God Himself (Matthew 25:40 James 1:27). It is by the grace of God that we ourselves are not poor, so God says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed” ( Proverbs 19:7). Generous toward Othersīeing kind to others is fine and good, but even better it is good to be generous to the poor. Besides, forgiving others is one of the greatest kindnesses we can do. We can’t have it both ways we either forgive, or God will not forgive us. How can they reconcile Jesus’ statement that “if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14), but “if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” ( Matthew 6:15). It’s rather sad when I hear other Christians say that they just can’t forgive someone. He tries to contrast the forgiveness we’ve received from God through Christ, to that of forgiving others, so just “as God in Christ forgave” us, we ought to be “forgiving one another,” and the truth is, our offenses before God were infinitely more than those we’ve committed against others. The Apostle Paul, in his beautiful letter to the Ephesians, wrote, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” ( Ephesians 4:32). Here are 5 stories from the Bible about being kind. 5 Stories From The Bible About Being Kind ![]()
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