It's more than a word. It is more than opening or holding the door for someone. It's more than offering to get someone a cup of coffee when you are on your way to get a coke. It may or may not be done without thinking, yet it is done without pretense or expectation. Spirit-filled kindness is selflessness.
It reminds me of the kindness and mercy Jesus had when He approached the city of Nain and saw a funeral procession coming through the gates. He went up to the bier and had compassion on the widowed mother whose only son was gone. I'm reasonably sure the mother wondered what she would do now. How would she provide for herself? How would she live?
Jesus understood. He stopped the processional and raised her adult son from the dead. He did this and brought glory to God. His every action brought glory to God. Kindness provides. When led by the Spirit, kindness always meets a need. (Luke 7:11-16)
Jesus had the ability. He had the power. He had what was necessary to really help this lady. More than condolences for her loss. He provided the ultimate. We do not have the power to raise someone from the dead. But when we have the ability, power, means to intervene, and ignore the plight of others, we fail to show the kindness that the Spirit of God bestows upon us for His glory. Many times we are not even aware of the need that our kindness meets. Sometimes we never know. Other times we are blessed with the knowledge of how God uses it.
My friend Barb once helped her Chinese neighbor whose husband was abroad. Barb was there in the delivery room when the lady had her second child. Barb was there to help organize and conduct the lady's yardsale. Not long ago, this Chinese lady emailed Barb and told her she had become a Christian and was attending a church in China. Kindness beyond the recliner reaped a reward Barb will never know this side of heaven as her friend, neighbor, and now, sister in Christ, grows in her faith.
May God give us the ability to see the needs of others and act with kindness and mercy. May the kindness within us grow and produce the visible fruit of His indwelling life to daily impact others for God's glory. selahV
