PURSUE KINDNESS, AN IMPORTANT VIRTUE

My dear brothers and sisters, today I want to talk to you about the importance of kindness. Kindness is a virtue that is often overlooked in our fast-paced and often self-centered world, but it is one of the most important qualities we can possess as human beings.

1. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32

2. "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." - Ephesians 4:29

3. "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." - Proverbs 15:4

4. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." - Colossians 3:12

5. "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." - Romans 12:9-10

6. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." - Galatians 6:10

7. "And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." - Luke 6:31

Kindness is not just about being nice to people, it is about having empathy for others and doing what we can to make their lives easier. It is about being generous with our time, our resources, and our love. It is about putting the needs of others before our own.

We can see countless examples of kindness in the Bible. Jesus himself was the ultimate example of kindness. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and forgave those who wronged him. He taught us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us. He showed us that kindness is not just an act, it is a way of life.

The apostle Paul also wrote about kindness in his letters. He encouraged the Galatians to bear one another's burdens and to do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. He reminded the Ephesians to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave them.

Kindness is not just for our friends and family, but for everyone we encounter. We should be kind to our neighbors, our co-workers, and even to strangers. It can be as simple as holding the door open for someone or offering a smile to a stranger on the street. It can also be more complex, such as volunteering our time at a local charity or donating money to a good cause.

But kindness should not be motivated by recognition or reward. It should come from a genuine desire to make the world a better place. When we are kind to others, we are reflecting the love of God to them. We are showing them that they are not alone, that they are valued, and that they are worthy of our time and attention.

So let us all strive to be kinder to one another. Let us look for opportunities to help those in need, to lift up the downtrodden, and to be a light in a dark world. As we do so, we will be fulfilling God's commandment to love one another and to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. May God bless us all as we seek to show kindness to those around us. Amen.