The kindness of God is so immense it is hard to describe. God’s kindness is transformational because it changes things. His compassion redeems, forgives, makes people whole, and gives us eternal life. When we surrender to Him and place our faith in Jesus as our Savior, He takes residence in our hearts. As we put our faith in Jesus and grow in our relationship with Him, the fruit of kindness begins to develop in us.
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! [1] Think how the Lord’s kindness has affected your life!
God’s Kindness Saved Us!
The kindness of God is the message of the cross, where Jesus died for our sins. Titus 3:4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 7 Because of his grace, he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.[2]
God was Kind to Joseph’s Brothers
Joseph’s brothers had sold him to slavery when he was seventeen, and now, many years later, the brothers journeyed to Egypt to purchase grain during a drought. Through the intervention of God, Joseph was no longer a slave but now a person of great authority in Egypt. The brothers did not recognize Joseph as they purchased grain from him until he revealed himself to them. In his kindness, Joseph forgave his brothers and sent them home with gifts and grain.
He also invited them to come and live in Egypt to be near him. Genesis 45:25 And they left Egypt and returned to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan. 26 “Joseph is still alive!” they told him. “And he is governor of all the land of Egypt!” Jacob was stunned at the news—he couldn’t believe it. 27 But when they repeated to Jacob everything Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, their father’s spirits revived. [3]
It is not our human nature to be kind to those who don’t deserve it, but it is God at work in us that transforms us. The kindness Joseph showed his brothers had its root in his relationship with the Lord. Who can you show the kindness of God today?
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/joseph-reveals-his-identity
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.