Hi and welcome back to Perspective For Today.

This is a continuation of our series on how to be a Success For The Kingdom. Last week we ended by encouraging you to reach out to your neighbors and the elderly. To show a little kindness. So in today’s episode we are going to see how kindness leads us to be a Success For The Kingdom.

True kindness is supernatural.

True kindness manifests itself as a fruit of the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5: 22-23 I say supernatural because if we take a look at the following verse, there is no way we can be kind under our own power.

Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor  and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be kind, even to our enemies. Many of us would say I can’t do that. I can’t forgive, I can’t repay evil with good. You can, if you surrender all that you are, and let the Holy Spirit reign in you. 

Ephesians 4:32 and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

We imitate God by showing kindness to others. Don’t half step your kindness. Don’t say I’ll be nice to you but I’m never going to forgive you. That’s not kindness. Kindness starts with a forgiving heart. God doesn’t give us any wiggle room on the subject.

Matthew 6:15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

When we don’t forgive we can just give up trying to be kind. An unforgiving heart becomes hard as stone and leaves us bitter. So if we’re going to get this kindness thing right we need to start with forgiveness. God promises us that He will change our whole outlook if we just surrender all that we are including our spirit of unforgiveness.

Ezekiel 36:26 says I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Kindness is powerful, 

When we are kind to someone, that kindness can lead them to repentance.

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?

Some take for granted that God puts up with our stuff and patiently waits for us to turn from sin. Yet His loving kindness draws us to Him. And in the process we feel the guilt and shame  for our actions. His kindness is the catalyst to change lives. To bring us to the cross. Wasn’t that His ultimate kindness, that He sent His only son for us?

Again we are called to imitate God’s example for us. We need to be patient with those who don’t know Christ. We need to reach out with loving kindness and let them see Christ in us. No one would ever consider repenting or turning from their lifestyle if ours is in question. 

Kindness Can Hurt. 

Psalms 141:5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. 

We should welcome criticism and yes even rebukes from godly friends. At times we can’t see our faults all that clearly. But it is a kindness on their part and should be received that way.

Maybe, it doesn’t feel like a kindness when it is happening to you. But, we need to hold our tongue and take it to God in prayer and see if our friend has done us a service. Don’t let your pride keep you from growing in Christ. It’s only when we are aware of our faults that we can continue to grow.

In the beginning of the podcast we talked about reaching out to your neighbors. Which of course, brings to mind the parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37. 

We all know the story about the lawyer who was trying to set Jesus up by asking him who his neighbor is. So Jesus relates the parable of the Good Samaritan to him. As the story goes a man was traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem minding his own business, when some thieves robbed him, stripped him of his clothes, and left him for dead. Nice guys.

Now along the road comes this priest and he sees the man left for dead. We don’t know why he kept on walking. We don’t know why he crossed the street to avoid the man. Maybe he thought if he helped him the thieves would come back and he’d be next on the hit list. Maybe he was late for a preaching engagement. Who knows.

Next comes this levite and he sees the man’s dilemma and maybe he has pity on him, but not enough to stop. Again he crosses the road just to avoid this man.

Now here comes our hero, the Good Samaritan. He sees the man and has compassion on him. He binds up his wounds, puts him on his donkey, and takes him to the local motel. Once he gets there he tells the innkeeper to take care of him, and whatever extra it cost him he’ll pay it when he comes back the next time.

Great story, right?

Fast forward to the year 2021. This guy’s driving down the road and right in front of him he sees another car get hit by a big honking semi. Does he stop to render assistance? No. Why not? Because if he stops he’s going to be late for work. If he stops he’ll have to go to court as a witness, and lose more time from work. The man justifies his actions by saying to himself, some good Samaritan will stop for him. 

We need to be proactive when it comes to kindness.

It’s easy to say somebody else will do it. We need to actively reach out to those in need. Whether that’s helping out at the local food bank or stopping to help someone when their car breaks down. Take the time to be kind.

Just as a side note, there are many health advantages when you show kindness. Science has shown that by being kind our anxiety and stress levels are lower, we live longer, and kind people tend to be successful people.

Does the bible back up the science? Absolutely!

Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

If we want to live healthy lives our Bibles are the prescription we need.

I’d like to thank you for listening today and remember to be kind to one another. Especially during these trying times in our country. Let’s just go to the Lord in prayer,