And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.
Romans 12:10 NKJV
Sometimes I just have to turn off the TV. The evening news is now 24 hours a day, and the lack of dignity and respect for other people is difficult for me to tolerate for long. When I think of things that I hope people will say of me at my memorial service, “kind” would be my first choice. When I think of the people in my life that were genuinely good to be around, kindness is a primary attribute. In fact, I wonder if kindness would be a good evangelistic tool. Jesus used the same word when He said, “My yoke is easy (gr. Chrestos-kind).” We should try it.
In the verses above, Paul encourages Christians to be kind to one another. The Greek word for “kind” comes from a term meaning “to furnish what is needed. Kindness seeks to say or do things that fit the other person’s needs. Kindness will necessarily include being tenderhearted and forgiving. Lord, soften my heart! The word “honor” implies recognizing someone’s value. To be kindly affectionate in a brotherly fashion means to give way to the needs and preferences of others because you recognize that they are valuable. I believe we could make our churches more attractive today by looking for opportunities to be kind to someone. Try a little kindness.
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