Kindness is a characteristic of God. Out of His kindness He made a covenant with the nation of Israel. And out of kindness, He kept His side of this covenant while they rebelled and disobeyed.
It is out of kindness that Jesus left the splendor of heaven to become a man. It is out of kindness that He died on a cross to pay the wages of our sin. Out of eternal love and kindness, He offers us His precious gift of salvation.
When we pray and seek His forgiveness, He gives it. Therefore, we must learn to forgive others and ourselves, too.
But God's kindness did not stop at the cross. It continues today in the lives of those who accept His Son as their Savior. The more we allow Him to work in us, the more His fruit becomes evident to those whose lives we touch each day.
As we continue to live and grow spiritually, there are several things we need to know about kindness. Sometimes, kindness requires putting ourselves in another person's place. We need to view others as Christ does.
Additionally, while we may find it easy to show kindness to others, we must also learn to show kindness to ourselves. We must not allow past failures and sins to prevent us from growing but remember that God's forgiveness is complete. When we pray and seek His forgiveness, He gives it. Therefore, we must learn to forgive others and ourselves, too.
Kindness gives birth to kindness. Love extended leads to more love. As you begin to show kindness to others, you will be set free from feelings of self-condemnation. You will find yourself being empowered by the Holy Spirit to exercise more kindness more often.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the kindness You have shown to me and will continue to grant me as I journey with You. As I grow in kindness toward others, help me also show kindness to myself, remembering Your unfailing grace and love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, . . . yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses" (Isaiah 63:7).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon The Spirituality That Heals, Part 5: LISTEN NOW
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