“My religion is kindness. The only religion is kindness.” The Dalai Lama
If we focus our religion on doctrinal beliefs and not on living out our faith, our Christianity is not very Christlike. Jesus did not send us into the world to make believers, but to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). God’s love for us is manifested in the kindness we show to others. Kindness is doing good things that bring happiness to others.
Kindness changes us and kindness changes others. In showing kindness, you are taking the goodness that God put it you and giving it to others. Being kind is fulfilling the command “Look not to your own interest, but to the interests of others.”
Let us examine the ask the questions of who, why, and how to show kindness?
Who do we show kindness? Our spouses and children? Our families and friends? Of, course. Jesus tells us even the pagans are good to people who love them (Matthew 5:46-47). Who we show kindness reflects our motivations. If we want to act out of love, be obedient to Jesus’ command, then we need to remember who Jesus came to serve. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus said “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Thus, we are to show kindness to the poor, the prisoners, the blind, and the oppressed. And we are to interpret these categories broadly.
Why do we show kindness? Many people may express kindness, but that does not mean that the kindness is manifested by love. Kindness may be used to obtain favor, to create an obligation by another. Kindness that is not motivated by love is not reflecting the gospel. In fact, Jesus told us that when we are kind only to others who we know can repay our goodness, we have not done his will. “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” (Matthew 5:46). It is when we give to those who cannot repay us that our kindness is honoring Him. “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” (Proverbs 14:31)
How do we show kindness? Kindness is an act, but the first and easiest kindness you can express to someone is a smile. Mother Theresa said “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile will do.” It is my nature to smile at people I know or someone I want to meet. But I have to intentionally make myself smile at strangers or people who intimidate me by their appearance or actions. Showing kindness to people who we do not know or like requires us to be intentional about giving of the goodness that God has created in each of us. I challenge you to begin smiling at everyone you see, even passers by who may not look at you. If each of us would smile at a stranger everyday, I believe our community would become a better place.
In and through Christ,
Doug