Jon's Blog

Love is Kind.  Here is one that you might not really think about.  What does it mean to be kind?  If we look up the definition of Kind it states "of a good or benevolent nature or disposition."  And, if you are like me, and not a dictionary, I had to look up benevolent, since it is not in my everyday vernacular.  Benevolent is defined as "characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings."  So, if we look solely at the definition of the word "kind," it is pretty clear what it means.  Basically to be kind is to show good nature towards others and to present yourselves as a good person to others, and one who would now show evil intentions towards them.  

Ephesians 4:32, according to the NLT, says "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."  But instead of what?  I think for context we need to back up and look at the verse prior and actually look at verses 31 and 32 so we can get a clearer picture. 


Ephesians 4:31-32
NLT - Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.   Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
NASB - Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.


The Message (just for fun) -   Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

So what is this really saying?  To me, kindness is a quality that we all search for in a mate.  When we were first dating we wanted that guy or girl to be kind, and loving and caring.  If they weren't we either got rid of them or tried to change them.  Although I only really dated one person before getting married to my now wife, I don't have much experience with the changing half of this, however, my gut tells me that any attempt made to try to change someone didn't go over well.  In fact there is an old adage that in order to change someone you must first change yourself.  I would agree with this statement.   But, I have digressed from the topic at hand.  That is for another day and another series. 

Kindness was something that we all wanted in a mate, in addition, we wanted kindness to be spread to your future kids and you want kindness from your friends and family.  So what exactly is God trying to say here?  To me I think he trying to make the point, that we all have bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, malice, and profane talk.  We all do these things, or keep them in our hearts, and no one can refute that.  If we were all perfect, then these things wouldn't exist in the world.  However, the reality is that these things do exist in the world.  And since we are not Jesus, we are all sinners to some degree.

A love relationship has no room for any of these unhealthy thoughts or actions.  So, God is plainly saying that we need to "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven." 

Now, I am not going to get into the forgiveness side of this as this will be discussed in Day 25.  Love is one of those relationships that can be so easily broken, but can so easily be found.  So, why is it so hard sometimes for us to not love someone?  Why is it, that at times, we are so enamered with ire and rage, we simply find it impossible to love another human being?  I think the answer is simply that we are forgetting what we have.  What we have, is we have a God that loves us.  We have a God, who gave his one and only son to die for us.  We have a God who loves us so much that no matter what we screw up in our lives, he will always provide an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and a heart that will forgive everything we do.


So, here we have a God who can forgive us for whatever we screw up in our lives, a God who gave his only son to die for us, and a God who is so kind that he is always there with us whenever we need him.  Again, I implore, why is it so incredibly difficult for us to always love one another with the same kindness.  I believe that this is a result of society telling us that it is OK.  Society pushes us to say, "oh you aren't happy?  just get a divorce."

Think about a statement I made earlier.  "Love is one of those relationships that can be so easily broken, but can so easily be found."  Love is a fragile relationship.  It can shatter just by uttering a few words, or just a single action.  Love is, in its very nature, a beast that we are all trying to tame.  But, the answer to tame this relationship is simply in what God has told us to do.  Shed the unhealty ideals from ourselves and instead show the kindness and tenderness God has shown us.  It is with this kindness and tenderness that our love relationship will flourish.

Love is kind, and kindness can be all around us, if we put our hearts and our minds to it.  Think about God's kindness He has shown you the next time you are tempted to be bitter, rage filled, angry, or talking in profanities.  Think about what God is thinking when you are doing these things.  In some regards I can see God looking down on me just shaking his head saying, "tsk tsk tsk, I have shown you the light, but you still struggle with this.  There isn't anything else I can do for you, you have to correct this on your own."

Love is kind, what are you going to say to your spouse the next time you are angry with them?