Kindness Can Help Change The World

KINDNESS CAN HELP

CHANGE THE WORLD

W. Frank Walton

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted…” (Eph 4:32).

My daughter Michaela has a t-shirt that says, “Kindness can change the world.” In this mean, troubled world, we need some more kindness, especially Biblical kindness.

Recently, a judge in New Zealand forced the parents of a 9 year old girl to change her highly unusual name. What awful name did the unkind parents give their daughter? “Tulula does the Hula from Hawaii .” What?! The girl was so embarrassed by her name that she had never volunteered her legal name to anyone, instead she said her name was “K.”

Wait, there’s more! The judge noted the thoughtless trend of some New Zealand parents by giving their kids embarrassing names, such as: Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Violence, Number 16 Bus Shelter, etc. How thoughtlessly cruel!

In contrast, I remember going to the funeral of a good Christian woman, whose daughter said her mother taught her that we can always choose to be kind in dealing with others. This is God’s way. “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” ( Col 3:12 HCSB).

“Kindness” (Gr. chrestos) has the root meaning of “fit, useful” (Thayer). Hence, it means doing to another what is “fitting.” This is practical consideration of what is good, benevolent and pleasant for another. It is love in concrete action, which is suitable for the occasion, because “love is kind” (1 Cor 13:4). Kindness is being thoughtful, polite, gentle and helpful. Kindness is the benevolence God showed us, while we are so unworthy, in the giving of his Son Jesus to save us from sin (Titus 3:4, Rom 11:22). “The kindness of God leads you to repentance” (Rom 2:4). God’s kindness is a powerful benevolent force to touch hearts and influence lives. The world should note that our character has been transformed by divine kindness.

Kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit, when God is working in our lives to make us more like Jesus in treating others well (Gal 5:22). Let’s examine our lives. Are we sometimes too harsh, too quick to snap back, too thoughtless, or short with others? Many of us have good intentions but are unaware of how we come across in dealing with others. Remember, there’s another person with feelings, just like me, on the receiving end my interaction.

Kindness can lift loads and encourage hearts. Kindness shows that Jesus is real to us, and we want the sweetness of His love to help others. Our Christ-like kindness can help lead some seeking soul to Him. So, how much kindness will I show today?

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