‘Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness.’ Colossians 3:12 NIV
When you get up in the morning, you must not only clothe yourself physically but spiritually and emotionally as well. As we gear ourselves up mentally, we all too often choose an attitude from a wardrobe of possibilities. Will we deck ourselves in the glamour of smiles or the serious tone of a frown? Now you might think that when you’re kind, people will constantly take advantage of you. That may sometimes happen, but here are two reasons to be kind:
(1) ‘For it is by grace you have been saved.’ (Ephesians 2:8 NIV) Grace and kindness always go together. Poet Robert Burns said, ‘The heart that is generous and kind most resembles God.’
(2) If you want people to be kind to you and treat you right, take Jesus’ advice; ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you.’ (Matthew 7:12 NIV) If you are rude, people are going to be rude to you. But if you are kind, most people will desire to respond the same way.
‘Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor..’ (Proverbs 21:21 ESV) And here is another reason to be kind: ‘A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel person brings ruin on himself. .’ (Proverbs 11:17 CSB) When you are kind to others, you are obeying God. ‘As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ (Colossians 3:12 NIV)
Try living that way every day!
SoulFood: Rev 15-18 Matt 16:13-28 Ps 132:1-10 Pro 13:4-6
word4today an adaptation of The Word For Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2023
