During the 40 days of Lent, we have been challenged to perform daily acts of kindness. This is a marvelous idea and one that is worthy of pursuit; however, should we not be living a life every day that is centered on being kind to others, especially those who struggle with living in economic, emotional, social, or spiritual poverty?
One of our main objectives as a “Christian” is to strive to become more and more like our Lord, Jesus. We walk this road by daily taking on His mantle, living as He lived. One of the characteristics of His life was to be kind, to exhibit lovingkindness. Throughout Scriptures, this is expressed in two ways.
The first is God expressing His lovingkindness for His people, you and me. His lovingkindness is displayed in passages such as, “… with everlasting kindness, I will have compassion on you.” (Isa 54:8, NIV); “… I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness…” (Jer 9:24, NIV); “…He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons…” (Act 14:17 NIV). Our Lord is kind to us as His provisions for us substantiate.
The second way the Scriptures describe kindness is for God’s people to be kind-hearted, to exhibit kindness to others be they our friends, our enemies, those who are wealthy, or those who are poor; regardless of their circumstances in life, treat them with kindness. Why? Because in the Scriptures we are commanded to and are given instructions on how to express kindness. His direction to us is recorded in passages such as, “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Eph 4:32 NIV); “And the Lord’s serv-ant … he must be kind to everyone…” (2 Tim 2:24 NIV). In other passages, the Bible expressly tells the Christian to show kindness to the poor, the needy, the oppressed, and one another.
Here at Epworth Villa, we live in a world that longs for expressions of kindness, and this 40-day challenge should be just the start. We should at all times through our days intentionally look for opportunities to show lovingkindness: a note or word of encouragement; a smile and pleasant greeting; an offer to assist; a phone call. There are many ways we can respond to the Lord’s direction and the Holy Spirit’s inner nudging. Don’t let an opportunity to brighten someone’s day pass you by.
But you know what; having talked about our Lord’s expressions of His lovingkindness and His direction to His people, we have yet to consider the greatest act of loving-kindness this world has ever seen; and that is the Crucifixion of Jesus, God’s one and only Son. It is this act of lovingkindness that provided the way for sinners like you and me to be forgiven of our sins and to have eternal life. Loving-kindness cannot be expressed in any greater, more compassionate way than that, and that is why we celebrate this Easter blessing. HE IS RISEN!!!!!! — Don Frost
