Luke 6:32-34 GNT (Good News Translation)
“If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! [33] And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! [34] And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount!
Kindness seems to be taboo these days.
I recently read a story about a “parent challenge” that made me sad. I won’t go into the details of the challenge, but it had something to do with parents making fun of their kids’ teachers.
My heart was broken.
We’re in a pandemic and it’s already hard for some teachers to work in the digital world.
But then to be made fun of…it’s so sad.
When I think about it, I was hurt for the kids who had to see that teacher everyday, knowing their parents were making fun of them.
I felt bad for the teachers who had to deal with the parents who were making fun of them and teaching the kids that it’s okay to bully.
I even felt bad for the parents who may not realize just how much they were causing harm to their own reputations.
Does that matter anymore? …I don’t know.
But most of all, I felt bad for a lady whose picture seems to get around the internet a lot. She was caught in the middle of all of this. She said that people have been using her image, to make fun of others, for years.
How sad!
I read this a few months ago and it still hurts my heart.
Why do people feel it’s more important to hate others instead of learn from them?
Why is it so hard to be kind?
The passage from scripture today is about how we should show kindness as people of God.
I’m really taking this to heart.
I want to know how I can help spread kindness in a world that teaches us to hate.
#1 Learn to love beyond my family and friends
I believe that I have the best family in the world.
Hands down!
I know that others will say they do too.
We’re blessed when we can have family that is loving.
God knew that many of us would love our family as much as I do, and that’s possibly why Jesus asked, “If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them!”
Ouch!
Loving beyond my friends and family is a BIG DEAL to God.
I have been asking God to allow me to see others the way HE seems them.
I want to love like He loves.
It’s going to take a lot of focus and practice, but I want to be like Him.
Being one of HIS examples of Kindness on this earth is really important to me.
#2 Don’t just help those who can help you
If we’re only helping those who can help us, then how will we ever be blessed by God?
I’m so grateful for the help of others, but I want what God has for me.
And we have to be careful because Jesus also said this: [33] “And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that!”
Jesus gets straight to the point.
He also says when we are kind to those in need we are showing kindness to Him.
If we only focus on those around us, we may not ever get to those who He wants us to help.
He wants us to get to the people we normally wouldn’t “hang out” with.
Again, we have to move outside of our inner circle to find those we can extend our help to.
#3 Give to those in need
I love the book of Luke.
Jesus was very much for the poor. He spent time with them and he instructed those in the church to help them.
He was not impressed by those who could live a lavish life, especially if they weren’t helping others.
I want to be who Jesus wants me to be. I want to be a person who has HIS heart when I’m working with those who aren’t in my circle of family and friends.
It’s so encouraging to know that JESUS loved those in need. He didn’t show favor to those who thought they were better than others.
He loves everyone and He doesn’t want anyone to go without what they need.
Again, I want to be one of those that is an example of His kindness on earth.
Conclusion
How can we be kind in a world of hate?
How can we show others the love of God?
It seems like hate is winning in this day in time, but it won’t always be that way.
I truly believe that people will learn that KINDNESS really does matter.
I’m praying for a kinder world.
Will you pray with me?
If this article helped you in anyway, would you let me know.
If you are showing kindness to others in some way, would you share below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
God loves you family, and so do I!
Aisha