Kindness Still Matters -- Fight For It.
There's moments when I feel like, "What is the point anymore?"
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I see blank faces with glazed eyes making vile choices towards another people. I see a mother going to the uttermost financial lengths to keep a reputation for her family and daughter. I see people slandering other people on the news. I see parents hurting their children, and I see children hurting their parents. I see bullies bullying people for their looks, possessions, and status. I see so many things that make me just want to throw in the towel.
If this is all it will be, then why do we even try? Why do we waste our breath to say, "Thank you, have a nice day" if they are just going to turn away before we can even begin to speak? Why do we intentionally hold the door if they don't even acknowledge us? Why do we forgive people and overlook the bad things they say behind our backs? Why do we work hard when our partner gets away with slacking? Why do we try to mend and reconcile broken relationships? Why do we continue to try and show kindness?
You know why we should keep trying to show kindness?
Because we are the same. We are no different. We also need kindness.
Sometimes I don't look in the mirror enough. I need kindness. I have hurt people, and have sinned against God's law. ~ Everyone's heart is corrupt and in need of saving, and if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you know He is the true reason why we continue to show kindness. 2000 years ago he displayed the most kindness humanity has ever encountered. When you have experienced this kindness and unmerited favor from God, then it is instilled in you to remember the cross and to remember the kindness he shows us over and over...never ending.
We all act in these ways. We all are guilty of these crimes. We've hated our brother and sister. We've hurt our parents/children. We've cheated and lied. We've done things we don't want to talk about.
It says in James 3: 16-18, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Jealousy and selfish ambition only go so far, but peace surpasses.
The saying "kindness goes a long way" is not just rote memory; it is a saying that has impacted all of our lives through the action behind it. We have seen destruction occur in people's lives and in this world, and we have seen communities rise up and take action by caring for others. We know that good can come from evil. It says in Genesis 50:20, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." God can take the uttermost evil acts of our world and turn them into such beauty. Take the cross at Calvary for an example. Evil (us) killed Jesus, our innocent Savior, on the cross, but God defeated death and overcame it to bring good from evil...so that we could experience his goodness and live in fullness with Him. THAT'S UNDESERVING KINDNESS. We deserve his place on the cross. We deserve death.
No one deserves kindness, but because God chooses to show us kindness, we can show one another kindness. We can forgive because he forgives us through the blood of Jesus.
Let's strive to be trees that overflow with the fruit of the Spirit, so that if someone takes a bite, they are struck with the goodness of God and desires for more of Him.
It says in Galatians 5:22~
"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..."
We might pose the questions: How can we actually produce good if we are all evil? How can we share the kindness of God if we are all sinful? The only answer is: the work of the Holy Spirit!!
~ The Holy Spirit aids us and helps to change our desires in a process called sanctification. We as God's children want to please Him, and we feel convicted when we do not do that. It's just like hurting your parents when you go against their word. ~ Petition to the Holy Spirit to help you. Walk by the Holy Spirit.
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another." ~ Galatians 5:13-15 ~
Lastly, this type of mindset and change of heart is something we have to fight for. We have to want to be nice to others. We have to want to lift others up instead of tearing them down. We have to desire to be changed and walk in the ways and law of God. It's a daily battle of the flesh!
~Let's continue to fight to bring honor to God with our words. When we mess up, do your very best to reconcile with others, and pray to God for forgiveness. He does not want us to give up. Fight for good. Fight till the end.
Proverbs 21:21
"Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor."
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