Your Kindness Could Change the World

Written by Ian Jannaway

Pastor Jonno spoke to us about the role of kindness in our lives exemplified by the examples of God as father and son. He quoted Bear Grylls, the British adventurer, who when asked how reacted to having a bad day, said this “I choose to be kind”

The optimum word here is ‘choice’. We choose to be kind, or cruel. Why as Christians does being kind matter so much? Simply put, kindness reflects the heart of the father and son, and we should seek to reflect that heart. Not just because it as ‘cool’ thing to do, but because as we have had kindness shown to us by God when we did not deserve it, then we are to show kindness to others when they perhaps did not deserve it.

One of Jesus’ most memorable teachings was the sermon on the mount-

Mathew 5- “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Luke 6 says this- 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”

The key here is this, don’t be like your enemies, LIKE, your enemies! Radical Christianity 101 right there! What happens then? Luke 6:35 says this-

35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

This is what God’s mercy looks like, grace, mercy, undeserved favour. Sound familiar? Every time you express the kindness of God you are advancing the kingdom of God, you are building something bigger than yourself. We are on mission to show the kindness of God, we must fight against what is best for us and refocus the mission of God.

We refuse to deny the broken world around us and must look outward from the church. When we choose kindness it does not make the situation better, it makes people better.

Kindness must always be the benchmark for us who follow Christ.

Now more than ever the world needs to hear and experience the message of Christ expressed through kindness, before they believe the message to be true.

Today, intentionally choose kindness.

Comment below an opportunity you can think of to CHOOSE kindness in your day today.