sky2Kindness: The quality of compassion and generosity, characteristic of God’s dealings towards the weak and poor, and demanded of believers.

The kindness is also shown in the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.

(ESV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law..

What does it mean to be kind–from a God/Jesus perspective? What examples of kindness are in the Bible and what do they tell us? Why is kindness such a big deal? What keeps us from being kind to everyone–genuinely kind? 

The kindness of God To all 

  1. Acts 14:17 Paul to the pagans at Lystra. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
  2.  Jeremiah 9:24; 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
  3. Luke 6:35 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

The kindness of God To his people 

  1. Isaiah 63:7 The Lord's Mercy Remembered 7 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the  praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us,  and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion,   according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
  2. Ezra 9:9; For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection[a] in Judea and Jerusalem.
  3. Isaiah 54:8; For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection[a] in Judea and Jerusalem.
  4.  Hosea 11:4 For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection[a] in Judea and Jerusalem.

The kindness of Jesus Christ

  1. Matthew 9:36 For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection[a] in Judea and Jerusalem.
  2. Mt 14:14; And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
  3. Mt 20:34; And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
  4.  Mk 8:2-3; “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.”
  5. Lk 7:13; And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
  6. Ac 20:35; In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
  7. Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Failure to acknowledge God’s kindness is a sin

  1. Psalm 106:7  Our fathers, when they were in Egypt,  did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
  2. 2Chronicles 32:24-25; Hezekiah's Pride and Achievements 24 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.
  3. Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Additional Kindness scriptures

  1. Genesis 19:19 God Rescues Lot Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die.

  2. Leviticus 25:35 Kindness for Poor Brothers “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.
  3. Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
  4. Proverbs 21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
  5. Zechariah 7:9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,
  6. Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 
  7. Micah 6:8 He 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?
  8. Hosea 11:4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.
  9. Job 6:14 “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
  10. Ruth 2:20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

  11. Ruth 3:10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.
  12. 2 Samuel 9:1 David's Kindness to Mephibosheth And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” ….2 Samuel 9:3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” ……2 Samuel 9:7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

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Kindness demonstration in the gospel Tit 3:4-5 See also Ro 11:22 God’s grace extending to the Gentiles while the Jews are judged for their unbelief; Eph 2:7

Kindness encouraged in people In the OT Pr 14:21; Da 4:27 See also Pr 11:16-17; Pr 12:25; Pr 14:31; Pr 19:17; Pr 28:8

Kindness encouraged in people In the NT Eph 4:32 See also 1Co 4:13; 1Co 13:4; 2Co 6:6; Gal 5:22-23 seen as the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer; Col 3:12; 1Th 5:15; 2Ti 2:24 a necessary characteristic of a church leader; Tit 2:5; 2Pe 1:7

Examples of human kindness By unbelievers 1Sa 15:6 the Kenites to Israel; 2Ki 25:28 the king of Babylon to Jehoiachin; Ac 27:3 the centurion Julius to Paul; Ac 28:2 the Maltese islanders to Paul and his companions

Examples of human kindness By God’s people Ge 21:23 Abraham to Abimelech; Ge 47:29 Joseph to Jacob; Ge 50:21 Joseph to his brothers when he might have been expected to settle old scores; Jos 2:12-14 the spies to Rahab Between Ruth and Boaz: Ru 2:13; Ru 3:10 Between David and Jonathan: 1Sa 20:8,142Sa 2:5 The men of Gilead have their kindness rewarded; 1Ki 2:7 Solomon to Barzillai; Ac 4:9 Peter to a beggar

When kindness fails The failure to show kindness Ps 109:16 See also Jdg 8:35 the Israelites to Gideon’s family; 2Ch 10:7-8 Rehoboam to the Israelites; Job 24:21 evil men to needy women

The kindness of God To the king 2Sa 22:51 See also 1Ki 3:6

The kindness of God To individuals Ge 19:19 Lot; Ge 24:27 Abraham; Ge 32:10 Jacob; Ge 39:21 Joseph; Ru 1:8 Ruth; Ru 2:20 Naomi; Job 10:12 Job; 2Sa 9:1-13 Mephibosheth through David

Failure to respond to kindness 2Sa 10:2-4

Failure to remember kindness 2Ch 24:22

Reflections to Consider

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Publications

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Music

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    Center is a song that speaks of the essence of our life in Christ, and echoes the words the Christ Read More
  • I Lift My Hands

    A powerful hymn of adoration and praise Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. This succinctly captures the joy of knowing our savior. Read More
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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

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  • The Stream, the Lake and the River: NT Wright +

      Acts 2.1-21; John 7.37-39; a sermon at the Eucharist on the Feast of Pentecost, 11 May 2008, by the Read More
  • Jesus in the Perfect Storm by NT Wright +

    Zechariah 9.9-17; Luke 19.28-48; A sermon for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, In the University Chapel of St Salvator, St Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Christ is a Great Savior: a review of the movie Amazing Grace +

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  • Wilberforce, Hollywood's Amazing Grace, Charlotte Allen +

    William Wilberforce's relentless campaign eventually led the British Parliament to ban the slave trade, in 1807, and to pass a Read More
  • Making Beauty out of Ugly Things: Grace by U2 +

    Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name Grace, she carries Read More
  • The True Nature of Grace and Love: a movie review of the Soloist +

    The 2009 movie The Soloist is based on a book by the same name, written by Los Angeles Times columnist Read More
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