As a Christian, I know that kindness and the way to treat others are central to the fabric of my faith.
I believe I should treat others the way I’d like to be treated. After all, doesn’t everybody deserve a modicum of respect?
This is also reflected throughout bible scripture. Ephesians 4:32 “Be Kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Hours before his crucifixion, Jesus commanded us “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” [John 13:34]
Jesus expired without fanfare. Instead, he revealed kindness and love through pain, death and resurrection.
A Moral Imperative
Even outside of religious circles, the very nature of kindness is viewed as a moral imperative.
Like table manners or common courtesy, kindness was not a demand, but more an expectation.
You could almost say that there was somewhat of a culture about kindness. People experienced kindness and extended it to others around them. Sometimes even to total strangers.
In recent times however, kindness has been elevated to a cause worthy of celebration. What was once commonplace – kindness and love for your fellow man – is now held up as a rare virtuous deed.
What changed?
The Failings Of Humanity
Technology has drastically improved our lives, but it also revealed the cruel side of humanity.
YouTube is teeming with educational content but some of the most viral videos chronicle the worst of our civic sensibilities.
The worst displays of human behavior caught on video have become public entertainment.
With each passing video of bad behavior, we laugh, point, criticize and show outrage No wonder no good deed goes unnoticed these days.
If kindness is a moral standard we ought to live by, then it is easy to see the failings of humanity. Life is complicated and what’s more, we are imperfect to begin with.
To reconcile our flawed humanity with our moral obligations is no easy task.
That said, how can we best exemplify kindness?
Be Kind And Love Your Neighbor
The fall of grace and the loss of love are both themes discussed in a passage Paul wrote in Ephesians.
Located in the thriving metropolis of West Asia minor, the Ephesian church was enjoying a period of growth in both faith and congregation.
However, this hard-working group of believers was soon beset by troubles. Despite persevering through their trials and gaining Jesus’s affirmations, the Ephesians’ failings were revealed.
In Revelation 2:4, Jesus said to them “Yet, I hold this against you. You have forsaken your first love.”
Just like the Ephesians in this passage, we are prone to going through the motions. We can do all the right things and still lose our way if we forget our true purpose and forget to love our neighbors.
Jesus further called upon them to repent and return to the days where they took on their task with love and respect for one another.
Instead of falling into sin, Paul reminded the faithful to be kind and forgive, just as Jesus did.
Kindness Is Not Weakness
We live in a different world today than the one that is referenced in Ephesians.
The prevailing cultural and social mores have made kindness a sign of weakness. We withhold kindness because we are afraid of being taken advantage of.
Remember that kindness is not just for those who do us good but for everyone.
When we disagree today, we are quick to fall into pride and wrath. You see this unfolding on so many levels, in politics and even religion.
Instead of casting the first stone, we should find opportunities in conflict to show goodness to others.
Practice Kindness And Goodness
If we are to grow in the fruit of the spirit, it will require time and care. We must exercise kindness, forgiveness, patience and goodness with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This is a lifestyle that requires daily practice.
Do not let the failings of others deter you from expressing kindness when it is needed the most.
Slow down and recognize our imperfections and deficiencies. It is an opportunity to show God’s love to others who differ from us, whether in thought, action or being.
Kindness is intentional. Like how Paul extolled the Ephesians, remember your purpose and how we are all Jesus’s children.
Maybe kindness doesn’t require recognition. Maybe kindness doesn’t need validation.
Maybe all it needs is consistent, deliberate practice.
Learn to make kindness a habit of goodwill and it will become a part of life.