January 29, 2025
Praying Friends,
When Paul writes to the Colossian believers, he promotes good quality clothing. He says, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3;12 NIV).
As the snow accumulates and the temperatures drop (for us Canadians and some of you Americans), we know the need for extra layers of warm clothes. Paul probably didn’t have snow on his mind when writing to the Colossian believers, but the imagery of putting on needed clothes definitely was.
Last time I wrote about the clothing of compassion. The second word in the list is kindness, which is closely associated with and usually springs from compassion. We need to put on kindness! It is also recorded in the Galatians 5 list as one of the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit, reminding us that kindness is a quality developed in tandem with the Holy Spirit’s work within us.
Kindness is a word Paul used in his letters about 10 times, and it has roots with concepts such as moral goodness, gentleness, honesty, usefulness, and uprightness.
Normally we don’t think of kindness as a spiritual quality, or at least I don’t. I have always thought it is important to be kind just because it is the right thing to do, but growing in kindness is a spiritual development that is essential for all believers.
What is crucial to remember is that kindness goes beyond mere thought or inward intent. It is an action word. It is a kind word of encouragement spoken. It is a kind deed done to a neighbor in need. It is a kind smile or gesture that communicates your love and care. It is stepping into the trenches of someone's battle and advocating, assisting, or protecting from the enemy.
There are doctors, home care workers, and construction flag persons who act in true kindness. There are builders, elders, homemakers, secretaries, and even a few plumbers, who, in their daily routines, treat others with genuine kindness.
Corrie Ten Boom is a prime example of kindness. She and her family were devout Christians in the Netherlands who believed in the spiritual discipline of kindness. During the Nazi occupation, they opened their home as a hiding place for Jewish refugees, and in doing so, saved many lives. Despite the risk, they provided food, shelter, and hope to those fleeing persecution.
They were eventually arrested by the Nazis for their kindness. She was sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she suffered immense hardship. Even there, Corrie demonstrated kindness by sharing her faith, comforting fellow prisoners, and helping them through their darkest moments.
Corrie’s life is a testament to the power of God’s kindness flowing through His people. Her famous words, "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still," reflect the depth of her trust in God and commitment to extraordinary, costly kindness.
While the word kindness (χρηστότης — chrēstotēs in Greek) is not used directly in the Gospels in describing Jesus, His life was the fulfillment of what this word encompasses.
Whether it was touching a leper to bring comfort and healing, traveling to Samaria to reach a lonely woman, lifting an adulterous woman from her sin and shame, or speaking words of truth and assurance to a murderous thief, He was kindness personified.
Let’s pray for opportunities to touch the lives of others with kindness and be the hands, feet, and voice of our compassionate Savior. Thank you for praying for our prodigals and for revival among us.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel
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