Kindness changes lives. Don’t underestimate the power of a smile, a word of encouragement, or a kind deed. When we are kind to others, it has a ripple effect. Is there someone in your life or the past that impacted you with their kindness?
There is no one more kind than our Lord Jesus. 2 Cor. 6:1As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” [1]
As we grow in faith and our relationship with Jesus, we grow in the fruits of the spirit, with kindness being one of them. Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! [2]
Joseph was Kind to His Brothers
Joseph was sold into slavery by his older brothers because they hated him. Many years later, the brothers traveled to Egypt to purchase food. There they encountered Joseph, but they did not know it was him. After many years of slavery, the Lord had taken Joseph from the pit to the palace, where he was the number two person in Egypt.
Joseph was in a strong political position and could have quickly punished or killed his brothers for what they did, but he chose to be kind instead. Kindness is a choice we all have. Joseph’s acts of kindness to his brothers would ripple through time because the Lord would use the brothers to build the nation of Israel.
Genesis 42:25 Joseph then ordered his servants to fill the men’s (his brother’s) sacks with grain, but he also gave secret instructions to return each brother’s payment at the top of his sack. He also gave them supplies for their journey home. 26 So the brothers loaded their donkeys with the grain and headed for home. [3]
The Fruit of Kindness
The Lord is so kind He leads people to repent of their sins and turn towards Him. Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? [4]
Kindness is significant. Being kind yields fantastic fruit in our lives and those around us. When we open our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit, we produce a heart that overflows with kindness.
To learn more about how kindness changes lives, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/brothers-grow-in-faith
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.