Archived Verse Of the Week

Being kind to others is one of the most challenging things in life. How many times has someone gossiped about you behind your back, cut you off in line, or simply upset you for no apparent reason? What is your typical reaction in these situations?

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The easy solution is to exact revenge, thrash out, or treat the perpetrator severely. As Christians, though, we are obligated to love one another. This verse reminds us to be forgiving and show kindness to others no matter how they treat us.

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Although you can't change how someone treats you, you can decide whether to be kind in return. We are also reminded at the end of this passage that we can do this because God in Christ forgave us.

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Our world needs more kindness! Yes, this fruit is something that we all desperately need in order to survive. We are the "light" in this dark world that sorely needs more human kindness because we are God's people.

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What happened to kindness? Many people's hearts have become distant, even among those who openly profess Christ. As Christians, we must practice kindness in all areas of life, including our interactions with those who have offended us. It is a fruit of the spirit. We have to strive every day to be kind to one another.

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It is because of God's kindness towards humanity that He gave us salvation. He didn't have to do it! It was God's "love" gift to all who put their faith and trust in Him through Christ Jesus. Therefore, treat one another with kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness, just as God has done for us through Christ. Believe it or not, kindness toward your offender can be your way to healing and rehabilitation today.

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In the second section of this verse, our gracious God emphasizes how much he values forgiveness. There is no other way to get forgiveness of sins than through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; thus, fallen man longs for and is unable to receive it unless he goes to the foot of the cross and is cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.

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Forgiveness was one of our Lord's final thoughts as He hung on the cross and said those earth-shattering words: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

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So, what makes it so difficult for certain people to forgive? Why is it easier to let resentment linger in our hearts than to humble ourselves, ask for forgiveness, and forgive someone who has hurt or offended us?

Those who are unable to forgive appear to have never understood how much they have been forgiven. The more insight we have of the grace we have received, the greater our appreciation and capacity to forgive others.

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Paul writes about this in a certain order. To begin, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." Only after dealing with these negative feelings at the foot of the cross can we move on to Paul's next exhortation: "be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." He has forgiven us and shown us so much kindness we endeavour to do the same.

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When we choose kindness and forgiveness, we give others the opportunity to experience God's grace and inspire other believers to do the same.