By Grace Through Faith

THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS:

At the beginning of Genesis, God created Adam and Eve. He placed them together in the Garden of Eden so that they could enjoy each other’s company and gain encouragement from each other. God created us not only to live with Him but to enjoy the community with those around us.

I think kindness is an important aspect that we get to carry into the relationships we have with each other. It allows us to encourage and support one another. I think it also allows us to understand the importance of community and relationships with others.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47

In Acts 2, we see a picture of what God has in mind for us when it comes to community and fellowship. When Jesus was on earth, He showed kindness in many ways, but the main one that sticks out to me is how He spent time with others.

He wanted people to enjoy each others’ company, whether that was over dinner or in the church. He also healed those around Him that were hurt because these people needed a Savior.

I also love how these verses talk so much about having glad and sincere hearts. Our hearts are very important to us. Mainly because everything flows from the heart. We have to make sure our hearts are aligned with God and His truth for us to be able to share kindness with the company around us.

ACTS OF KINDNESS:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. – Galatians 5:13

I think there are over a thousand different ways you can be kind to yourself and those around you. But I want to highlight a few important ones that stand out to me.

1. Love Languages – If you don’t already know what your love language is, take a love language quiz online to find out! I think it is so important for you to know what your love language is but also what your friends’ love languages are as well. It helps you not only to love them better, but it allows them to feel important and valued in the relationship too.
2. Prayer – Yep, I consider prayer an act of kindness. Taking the time out of your day to ask your friends how you can be praying for them or praying for friends when you think about them are both great ways to be kind. I think it is also important to pray for a kind heart as well. Just like any other fruit of the spirit, we need to ask God to give us a kind heart and for the Holy Spirit to work inside of us so that we can glorify God through our lives.
3. Speak Truth – We are called to carry each other’s burdens in life. Jesus was the perfect example of how we can build each other up. I think a great way to do so is to remind friends and family members about the Truth of God’s Word. By reminding those around you of the promises of God, the Holy Spirit can guide us in the ways that we can be kind to one another. Supporting and encouraging each other with God’s Truth is a wonderful way to share kindness.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32

God has been so kind to us by sending His Son so that we can have eternal life with Him. We need to be kind to each other as well. If you want to learn more about serving each other with a kind heart, read over the gospels and how Jesus lived His life with those around Him. We get to learn about kindness from the actions and characteristics of the Savior, and through the Holy Spirit, we can share that kindness with others. How incredible.

With love,

Claire