Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32
Is kindness out of fashion? It might be, you certainly have to look hard to find any in the headlines. But it is an attribute of God, and as long as God’s children are on Earth, you should expect to find kindness where you find faith. The apostle Paul makes an interesting analogy with kindness as part of a custom-made wardrobe worn by those taking off their old life to put on a new life in Christ.
Do you get rid of ill-fitting, worn-out, ragged clothes? Similarly, you are exhorted to do the same with the parts of your old life that are based in sin and self-serving: “put off what is earthly in you; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). However, you are not to be unclothed, those old rags are to be replaced by the clothing of Christ: “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
Your life is easier when you are dressed appropriately, like raingear for spring showers or Bermuda shorts for summer heat. In like manner, a life of inner peace is possible by putting on the Creator’s raiment, allowing the Spirit of Christ to dress you from the inside out, “forgive each other, as the LORD has forgiven you… and put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:13-14).
Kindness is never out of fashion! It reflects the character of God. Pray for America to be a land of kind people devoted to putting on the Spirit of Christ in their daily lives and in their governing laws.
Today’s Verse: Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Micah 6:6-8
“With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
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?
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
