TEXT: I Corinthians 13

SUBJECT: What Love is #2: Kind

"Kindness" is the "the desire to do others good". I must emphasize that word, "desire", because it's possible to do good things with a bad attitude. Paul knew that; a bit later he wrote how we're to do it--"Not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver". A kind person isn't forced to do good; he isn't shamed into it; he does good because he's filled with brotherly love. And kindness is the overflow.

Kindness is wonderfully seen in the life of our Savior "Who went about doing good". And more than "doing it", He went about seeking to do good and eager to do it. Some of His miracles were sought--people came begging for His favors. But others were not. Many were performed spontaneously. Why would He do good to people who didn't even ask Him?

John 5:19 explains: "...The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do..." Our Lord is kind because God is kind! Even the Gentiles knew this, for "He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness".

This last word, "gladness" is worth thinking about. If God wants to sustain the human race, all He has to provide is "food". And He does, of course. But He doesn't stop there; He also provides the enjoyment of eating! The pleasures of taste and smell, and so on. Why would He do such a thing? Because He is kind!

This is the kindness that Paul wants us to have and to develop. A big-heartedness; a generosity of spirit.

Kindness reaches out to the whole person--to body and soul. Some Christians need physical aid; others need spiritual help. Kindness reaches out to both. Without embarrassing them. Why? Because "love is kind".

We're to be kind to everyone, of course, but especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ, Galatians 6:10. But what if they're not to us? Is our obligation thereby annulled? It is not. Paul wrote these words to the most disagreeable Church of his time--and maybe any time.

Like gold, kindness is proven in the furnace. It's easy to be kind to people who are nice to you--the publicans do that much! We must do more than they. Are there rude people in the Church? Obnoxious people? Thoughtless people? Overly-sensitive people? Yes, plenty of each. What would our Lord have us to do with them? He'd have us love them, of course. And "love is kind".

This sounds beautiful, but can it be done? Is it possible to be kind--truly kind--to an odious person? It is. Paul was--"I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved by you" (II Corinthians 12:15).

Paul wasn't alone. Joseph was kind to the men who sold him into slavery. Stephen was kind to the men who stoned him to death. Even Esau--that fornicator and profane person--was kind to the brother who cheated him twice.

No exception to the rule. "Love is kind". To all people. At all times. We must be careful here: It is easier to be kind to the human race in general than to certain members of it. There was a famous Christian leader who "loved the world" and went everywhere preaching the Word and collecting funds for the poor. But when his daughter overdosed on drugs, he wouldn't come home to see her! He was a hypocrite, a liar, and a scoundrel! He "loved in word and in tongue, but not in deed and in truth".

Thus, in developing your kindness, I urge you to start with real people. Find someone you've been unkind to, and prove your love to him. If it's a husband, start with him. Is it a wife? Start with her? Your children? Start with them. A boss? A neighbor? A fellow church member? Start there. Prove your love by being kind.

How do we show our kindness?

Hypocrisy craves the grand gesture--the spine-tingling act of self-sacrifice. Ted Turner gave the United Nations one billion dollars--and covered it on his own network! I wonder how much he pays the janitors who mop the studio floors?

Kindness doesn't show-off; it's satisfied with covering the little things in life with love. For example:

How do you think about other people? Critically or charitably? If your husband is an hour late from work--is he: (a) Having an affair? or (b) Caught in traffic?

How do you speak to other people? Harshly or mildly? If your wife snaps at you, how do you answer her? With--(a) a louder, meaner snap? or (b) "a soft answer"?

How do you speak about people who've done you wrong? Is it with (a) malice and contempt? or (b) do you "cover a multitude of sins?" And take no pleasure in telling others how bad they are?

How does your face look when you're talking to your children? Is it (a) contorted with rage and disappointment? or (b) filled with love and compassion?

Do you notice people? Do you take a moment to greet them? Do you listen to them? Do you give the impression you're glad they exist?

Are you willing to help others? In ways unpleasant and at a times inconvenient?

No one here has ever given me a vital organ; no one has ever sold his goods and given me the proceeds. But the kindness I have received from you dear friends has been immense! The sister who sends me a card now and then; the brother who dug my fence posts; the lady who bought me some books; and, of course, the man who never forgets my sodas!

Don't look for the giant acts of kindness you can do. Be content with the little ones. For, in the end, they'll be the giant ones.

Two things stand out. Firstly, identify kind people, study their lives, and imitate them. Philippians 3:17: "Mark those who walk this way, for you have them as a pattern..." Get to know these people better; go along with them on their errands of mercy; ask them who needs help (they've noticed!); pray God will make you more like them.

Of greater importance, meditate much on the kindness of Jesus Christ. Did it make Him beautiful? It will do the same for you. Did it please His Father? It will please yours too. Did it do His friends good? It will do the same for yours. Only as we "With uncovered faces behold the glory of the Lord are we transformed into that same glory".

Come Holy Spirit! Do Your Blessed Work! Amen.