E34 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Kindness - the Likeness of GOD

Hope’s Harbor

Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #34

Title: Kindness – the likeness of GOD

Date: December 27, 2021

Contact: info@hopesharbor.net

Key verse(s): Galatians 5:22 – ‘The fruit of the Spirit is …kindness, or in the KJV it reads gentleness. It means moral excellence and also usefulness, being employed. That’s interesting. I take it to mean we employ kindness as a way of living. What do you think?

Luke 10:33 – “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.”

Intro: Have you seen those signs popping up lately “Be Kind”? Why is that? Have you ever seen someone you expected to react with anger instead respond kindly, calmly? It’s very odd to witness.

I say odd because the way I’m wired if it calls for hard words and actions then that’s how I roll. Hmmm… but now I want to know more about kindness.

Devotion focus: Kindness is love in action – it speaks louder than what we say.

When I was a child and was told “I love you,” I normally didn’t believe it. What leads a child to feel that way? It took until I was an adult and attended counseling, having to read all sorts of books on family relationships and dysfunction before I figured it out.

My disbelief at being told I was loved wasn’t action on my part but rather a reaction. I was conditioned to this because of the lack of meaningful kindness from the adults in my life. Well, except my grandmother on my mother’s side.

Looking back I think of it like the religious leaders in Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. Adults who ‘go to the other side of the road’ to avoid being kind.

For words of love to have an impact they must come from acts of meaningful kindness, actual gentleness. When violence is the rule words hold little real meaning other than to instill fear and dread.

This devotion is primarily for anyone who didn’t have meaningful acts of kindness and gentleness in childhood, or even since then. If you feel unloved it’s understandable. But even then there’s no reason to remain stuck in that lie.

Because listen to me, you are loved. Did that evoke anything within you?

You can experience feelings of love if you will make an effort to displace the thoughts of worthlessness you may carry.

What does this have to do with kindness? Because it is easy to become trapped in a mindset of anger and hatred that will limit your ability to be kind to others.

Let me ask you this: is there anyone in your life you want to be kind to… that you could be kind to? How about a child? Would you believe you could very well be the only source of kindness a child experiences at this time?

Listen to how Jesus reacted to children being rebuked in Mar 10:13-16

Mar 10:13 - ‘Then they brought little children to Him (probably the parents), that He might bless them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Mar 10:14 – ‘But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of GOD.

Mar 10:15 – “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

Mar 10:16 – ‘And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.’

I asked this because it is easier to understand kindness from a giving point of view or experience, rather than receiving it.

Feeling unlovable will lead to cynicism. Even if someone is sincere in loving-kindness to you, the reaction may be “Yeah, right.”

Before anyone can convince you of how much GOD loves you there are things you can practice with reading Scripture over and over until it gets through any barriers you have up.

https://e-sword.net/ offers a free download of an excellent Bible study resource for doing word searches, among many other features.

Summary: The Son of GOD wants you and me to have kindness toward others, even ourselves when self-hatred is there. My self-hatred years ago led to suicidal depression. Kindness to others and toward yourself will change how you feel about yourself and others too and help us with the next virtue - goodness.

Action to consider: You can do a word search for love, loved, loves, etc., and read through those verses asking GOD to open your heart and mind to His truth concerning His love for you. Use the e-sword resource or another Bible program that makes searching for verses easier and give GOD your Savior a chance to show His kindness and show it toward you.

Here’s one verse to get you started: Zephaniah 3:17 – ‘The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.’ ESV

Next week’s devotion: Goodness – the opposite of evil?