Kindness Brings Hope

December 9, 2020

Have you ever been lifted because of an act of kindness? Have you given a kind act that elicited a response? Have you wished for a kind act; did it happen? How did it make you feel? Did it bring you hope? Was an act of kindness given to manipulate or bless you? How do you know if an act of kindness is meant to manipulate or bless? Have you ever recognized an act of kindness from God? What might real kindness from God look like?

I would like to address the type of kindness that manipulates first. What does an act of kindness meant to manipulate look like? Manipulative kindness comes from the giver wanting something in return for their kindness. I.E.; someone might give you a gift expecting to receive in return. Or an admirer might give you gift, expecting a sexual response as thanks. Responding to a request in a different manner then requested because it still makes the giver feel good. Like responding with a text when a phone call was requested. Going to sing at the bedside of a dying person in order to “be seen” and promote oneself. This reminds me of what Jesus says about the hypocrites in Matthew 6:5, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.” (ESV) Or about the Pharisees in Matthew 23:5-7, “They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.” (ESV)

True kindness comes from love without and self-motive. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit of God “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” It was demonstrated by Jesus as He healed the multitudes. A specific example of one of His healing miracles can be found in Matthew 8:2-4, “And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ‘And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.’” (ESV)

It is the Lord’s kindness that leads to repentance. “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4

It is commanded of us to practice kindness, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (ESV) Ephesians 4:32

If you do not know Jesus the true source of hope does not abide in you. Learn how to get the hope you need. Learn how to know Jesus.

If you have not read my previous blogs you can find them here.

You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.

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