8-08-2021 3:32am

Strong spirits: challenged to be kind

Photo: You're Wonderful Project

How kind are you?

"Make a clean sweep of malice, and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You've had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness." the apostle Peter (1 Peter 2:1-3)

"Is there a person here who, finding one of your lambs fallen into a ravine, wouldn't, even though it was a Sabbath, pull it out? Surely, kindness to people is as legal as kindness to animals!" Jesus to his detractors (Matthew 12:11,12)

"Is there anyone left of Saul's family? If so, I'd like to show some kindness in honor of Jonathan." King David (2 Samuel 9:1)

Kindness is love in action. God demonstrates his kindness in his Word from beginning to end, and in the world around us every day. Jesus said, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." And Jesus was infallibly kind. The poor, the sinners, the interrupters - Jesus had time and kindness for all. God is incredibly kind.

In the greatest act of kindness ever, Jesus laid down his life for people who hated him, and for all of us as well. The kindness of God is beyond comprehension, but not beyond access.

We are challenged to be kind, to practice kindness, to allow God to pour his kindness through us into a world that desperately needs it.

Will you let him? Will you be kind?

Have a great week!

Gary Schwerin serves as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church. He is also the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life.