Rediscover Kindness

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
Mother Teresa (1910-1997, Albanian-born Roman Catholic missionary)

Eph 4:29-32
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 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. NASU

I think kindness is a great word for the church today. It seems that churches have grown cold in the practice of kindnesses toward the world, and each other. We need to search for this warm spirit among us again, and each of us can culture it and spread it ourselves, if we are willing to put away some habits that we have developed.

Paul felt it necessary to address the problem with bold commands. Let “No” words proceed from our mouths that are not for edification, and “put away” bitterness, anger, clamor, malice, and slander. Paul tells us also why this is so important. It “grieves” The Holy Spirit, who places His seal on each of us, and marks us for the day of Christ’s return. That’s serious stuff.

Now listen to the commands given to us by The Holy Spirit, through Paul. Be “Kind,” and tenderhearted, extending forgiveness to one another, even as God, in Christ, extended forgiveness to each of you. Kindness is fuel to the soul, but bitterness is the acid that leaches away the strength that our souls can share with one another on this short walk between the cradle and the grave. Be Ye Kind…God Bless.
Pastor William