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Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Christians should be the most kindly people in the world. If they are not, their daily walk is a failure, and their work for Christ is definitely impaired. If we are kind, we will be recognized immediately as genuine Christians. The word "Christian" in the original means "Christ's one" or one who belongs to Christ. Does our kindness tell others that we belong to Christ? If we are not kind, then we are not spiritual.

We are commanded to be kind

If we are unkind, we are disobeying the plain commands of the Lord. Ephesians 4:32 definitely states, "Be kind to one another" (see also Col. 3:12). It is right to place much emphasis on obeying the Word of the Lord. Some Christians would be horrified if told that they were doing things contrary to the Scriptures, and yet at times these same people may be anything but kind. Commenting on the actions of some David said, "These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me" (2 Sam. 3:39). Let us always remember that to be unkind is to be unscriptural.

Be kind like our Father

In Luke 6:35 we read, "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil." What an example of kindness. The world is full of unthankful and evil people, yet the Lord showers them with natural blessings. Many curse Him to His face, yet He gives them food to eat, clothing to wear, and shelter from the raging storm. The first part of Luke 6:35 reveals that if we are like Him in that we love our enemies and do good, our reward in heaven will be great. We have the added incentive to kindness in that the Lord has been extra kind to us. He has forgiven us all our sins, redeemed us by His blood, made us His children, and is bearing us home to heaven. After being shown so much kindness, can we be unkind?

David’s kindness to Mephibosheth

The story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth is one of the finest in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). David¹ asks the question, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?" (2 Sam. 9:3). This story wonderfully illustrates the kindness of God. It should also show the children of God how important kindness to others really is. Saul, who had been king of Israel , was killed in battle along with Jonathan, his son and heir. Jonathan had shown David much kindness, but Saul, out of envy, often sought to kill David. Yet David does not say, "Is there not still someone of the house of Jonathan to whom I may show kindness?" but, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul?" He wanted to show kindness to a descendent of his worst enemy. What a man! Many other new kings might have put to death all of the descendents of Saul, so that none of the old line would be left to lay claim to the crown. David, being close to God, decided rather to show kindness.

Mephibosheth’s fear calmed

No doubt fearing that David would slay him, Mephibosheth, Jonathan's only remaining son, was hiding in Lo Debar. When David heard of it he might have said, "If Mephibosheth was here I would show him some kindness, but since he is hiding over in Lo Debar, we will just forget about him." No; he sends for him. Perhaps Mephibosheth's heart sank when he saw the royal chariot stop at his home, thinking his end had come. Although assured by David's servants, he is still afraid as he is brought into David's presence. Prostrate at David's feet, the first words he hears are, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake" (2 Sam. 9:7).

Mephibosheth blessed by David

Then David restores to Mephibosheth all that had been King Saul's, and adopts him into his family as one of his own sons. “As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons” (2 Sam. 9:11). This wonderful and undeserved kindness greatly humbled Mephibosheth. In verse 8, we read, "Then he bowed himself, and said, What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?" It also produced true devotion to David. All the time David was gone, when he was forced to flee Jerusalem because of Absalom's rebellion, Mephibosheth did not care for his feet, trim his mustache, or wash his clothes, to demonstrate his sorrow (2 Sam. 19:24).

Seek opportunities to be kind

How wonderful it would be if all the Lord's people were like David—on the lookout for those to whom we might show kindness. Showing kindness is a formula that nearly always brings good results, whether shown to the lost or to Christians. It is an excellent thing to speak of the kindness of God, but folks listen better if we also show the kindness of God. While showing kindness to our fellow Christians will surely make for good relationship in our local congregation, let us show kindness to all Christians, remembering that we are all members of the body of Christ. We may not be able to totally agree with the opinions they might hold, but we should show kindness.

Counsel to Rehoboam on kindness

When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam ascended the throne of Israel . Solomon had taxed the ten tribes heavily and they came to Rehoboam asking that this load be made lighter. Rehoboam sought counsel of the old men, whose advice he would have done well to follow. They said, "If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever" (2 Chron. 10:7). He then asked for and followed the counsel of the young men who advised that he increase the taxes and treat them roughly. As a consequence, the ten tribes rebelled and Israel was divided. It pays to be kind. Like Rehoboam, unkindly man will fail; but kindly man, like David, will succeed. A kind man will have friends, an unkindly one will have enemies. "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24).

Rahab’s kindness

Rahab is an example of one who showed kindness and received kindness in return. She hid the Israelite spies in her Jericho home and then said to them, "Since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token" (Josh. 2:12). They reply in verse 14, "And it shall be, when the Lord has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you." And so they did. Because of the kindness toward the Lord's servants and her choice for God and His people, Rahab was greatly honored. She became the great great grandmother of David the king (Ruth 4:17 and Matt. 1:5, 6). Besides this we find in the line of her descendents none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. If we are kindly like Rahab, rest assured that for the most part we will be treated kindly, too.

Paul on Melita

Sometimes even unbelievers will treat a Christian kindly. The boat in which they were taking Paul to Rome was wrecked on the island of Melita ( Malta ). In Acts 28:2, the narrator of the incident says, "And the natives showed us unusual kindness." Most of us can no doubt tell of instances when unbelievers treated us kindly, as well as possibly cases where Christians treated us badly. Let us be determined not to be put to shame by the world. We should be above them, as far as daylight is above darkness, and for the most part so it is.

Love is kind

"Love suffers long and is kind" (1 Cor. 13:4). When we hear a man speak unkindly to or about his wife, we naturally think that his love has died; that is, if he ever had any. And, sometimes things do not go smoothly even in some Christian homes. One young lady excused herself for marrying an unbeliever by saying, "My mother married a Christian and I believe I will be better treated than she." However, her father treated her mother none too kindly, but time proved that the daughter was treated no better by her lost husband. When love dies, kindness usually goes with it.

Preachers and kindness

For the most part, preachers of the Gospel are treated kindly. However, on occasion some are treated in ways most unkind. The story is told of a preacher who mentioned some of these things at a large gathering of preachers and church leaders. Afterward, a brother said, "Preachers are not always too kind to Christians either," and then he began to tell of an unkind action he had witnessed from a certain preacher. Thank God for Christians who, for the most part, are kind, and thank God that examples of unkind preachers are exceptions. This lovely virtue of true kindness is rare in this world. May each of us who belong to Christ manifest it.

Footnote:

¹ For more on David, see The Life and Times of David in Additional Resources section of StudyJesus.com.