Showing Love Causes Kindness to Bloom

The older I get, the more I appreciate acts and words of kindness. Not that I haven’t before, but I see more people becoming jaded with life, losing their zest for living around other people.

This world is amazing, full of wonderful things that bless us.

This is the side of the world that I cherish, that I love to see.

Unfortunately, there’s also a dark side to this world.

Malicious people with ill intentions are everywhere. Negativity wants to sap your joy.

People who don’t even know you make snap judgments based on misunderstandings, and not everyone has nice things to say about others.

I find it odd. What ever happened to seeing the best in people?

I understand some people are wicked. That’s not what I mean when I say see the best in people.

But there’s so much envy, corrupt talk, and negativity about others out there in the world.

Kindness is one of the most attractive things about humanity. We are capable of great love, to love as our King, Jesus, loved others. He gave us the greatest gift of kindness when He died in our place and rose again so that we can live forever with Him and those we cherish in His kingdom for eternity.

To take our punishment and offer us love and immutable grace for countless generations.

If only we could be so kind to others.

Although most western, modern believers won't face martyrdom until we reach the end of the End Times proper, we can demonstrate this level of kindness whenever we want.

Kindness is the best love language, too, because it covers all five love languages at once.

It takes a kind heart to affirm over others, to serve, to give of yourself with time and affection, and even offer gifts.

Even if someone is a complete stranger, perhaps paying for their meal when dining out will make their day. What if they’re going through a tough time and smile because they feel they have to? I’ve heard of cases where ‌opening a door for someone saved someone’s life because they were going to kill themselves that night. They had become convinced that the world had no good people left in it.

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Notice that being kind is connected to having a gentle heart.

Jesus is the most famous person in history because He lived a life like no other. He broke down barriers between status, occupations, the learned and the unlearned, men and women, and so much more. He taught us that all people are equal in value in the sight of God.

He called out when people were misinterpreting the Torah, but He often dealt with people in grace.

Telling us to become perfect, looking to our Father up above who sends rain on the evil and the good. God sustains the universe, and it’s up to the people that live here on Earth to repay this caliber of love to others.

No one wants to be treated harshly.

We want to feel valued and loved, and it’s acceptable to have standards. But ensure you meet those standards as best as you can for others, because you impact others as much as they do you.

Kindness and love intertwine with each other.

1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant …”

Paul describes love as patient and kind in one of the most famous chapters in Scripture.

If we need to know how to love, we look to Jesus, and Paul’s words here in 1 Corinthians are an excellent second witness to what love is like.

The closest relationship you have in this world is with your other half. What a sour time it would be if there were constant arguing and unfruitful experiences in day-to-day interactions. Your spouse is supposed to bring out the best in you, pushing you to become the man or woman you need to be to show God’s love to this world and bless it with your mission.

Cooperation, not opposition.

I’m a romantic at heart. I find love to be a beautiful thing.

I’m attracted to kindness, purity, honesty, living your morals, and someone who serves God with all her heart. There’s nothing wrong with being absolutely stunning, but it isn’t first on my list. Someone with a beautiful soul is important. In this way, I’m blessed. God has blessed me in such a way that I’m to the moon and back with gratitude.

Next to a spouse, family is also important. If your mother doesn’t know you love her, that’s somewhere you don’t want to be. Mothers think the world of their kids, and they think of them so often you might grow tired from running through their minds all day.

Fathers are important, too. They teach young boys to become men who are kind to others, not using their strength as a tool for hurting people. To work hard and provide for their families, doing what it takes to make ends meet and ensure they live a better life than they had.

Friendship is also of the highest importance, because the people you surround yourself with can make you rise or fall. Lift others up, and surround yourself with people who lift others up.

As for strangers, they’re made in God’s image. It doesn’t matter what you think they’re doing or if they’re even doing anything you don’t like. You must be kind to others. Jesus showed us what love looks like and embodied perfect kindness.

Did He tell them to repent?

Yes, but that doesn’t mean He didn’t first treat them with kindness.

We need to love all people, not only ‌those closest to us.

If someone doesn’t live the lifestyle you agree with, that’s not your job to play judge. If among the faithful, you can sort those things out, but why should anyone assume someone is mistaken outside of that context?

There are things that you think might be sinful that ‌aren’t as black and white as you might think, so treat people well regardless of what you feel.

God shows the ultimate kindness, and we don’t get to play God in the judge's role. We get to follow His example as He loves, but we aren’t the ones who get to say who’s entering the kingdom and who isn’t.

Matthew 21:31 “... Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.”

Matthew 5:46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

Matthew 9:11 “And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Isaiah 65:5 “They say, 'Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!' Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.”

Jesus actively befriended and spent time with people who society did not view as right by its standards.

He showed perfect kindness, not pompous hypocrisy that shuns people.

Kindness isn’t something you give if someone meets some prerequisite first.

You give freely, knowing God loves them the same as He loves you.

We can be vocal and attack our “opponents” all we want.

But that doesn’t make us righteous.

By being kind, we emulate the Master’s example, and love can blossom into a lush garden that inspires us to be better.

For something to blossom, it needs water and light.

So it’s up to you to be that light and water others with your kindness.

Jesus is the King of Kings, who knows all our thoughts and intentions.

We need to make sure He molds us into the people He wants us to be and ‌learn to love like He loves.

Don’t be careless, be fruitful for the King.

In due season, you’ll see love come back to you in full, making your circle a radiant garden that makes your day ‌brighter.

The kingdom of God starts with us.

Let's be kind to each other, so that Eden can be restored once more.