It’s hard to find something that everyone agrees on. We can’t even get everyone to agree on the perfect pizza topping! But I don’t think I’m going out on a limb here to say that everyone agrees on this: the world would be better if we were all kinder to each other. Work would be more enjoyable. Family life would be more rewarding. Church would be more worshipful. It’s hard to think of an area of life that wouldn’t improve if we were kinder to each other.
That sounds nice, but how practical is it? How are we supposed to learn that kind of kindness? You may not have thought to look in the Old Testament, but Deuteronomy 10:17-19 gives us a place to start:
“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
No one is kinder than God. He is mighty and awesome in all that he does – and that includes his kindness. He sticks up for orphans and widows. He feeds and clothes strangers. This passage in Deuteronomy teaches us two things to keep in mind if we want to foster a heart of kindness.
1. Remembering our condition –In these verses, God reminds his people that they know what it’s like to be in need. They were slaves in Egypt. What did they wish others would have done for them? That’s the kindness they should show to others. Christianity teaches that we’re all sinners living in the wreckage of a fallen world. We sin and hurt others. Others sin and hurt us. That means all of us are in need. When you’re having a rough time of it, what do you wish someone would do for you? Do that for others.
2. Remembering God’s kindness – The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, but God didn’t leave them there. The Book of Exodus tells us the story of God rescuing his people from bondage. Exodus is the story of God’s kindness. But the Gospels tell us of a much greater kindness. In Jesus, God has rescued us not from bondage in Egypt, but from bondage to sin and death. God saved us from a captivity we could never escape on our own. God has shown us kindness, which moves us to show that same kindness to others. That’s what it looks like to follow Jesus.
A heart of kindness grows out of the kindness of God in Jesus. When we were in our greatest need, God stepped in and showed us kindness. Therefore, we follow in his footsteps and show that same kindness to others in need.
Who in your life could use some kindness? Maybe it’s a neighbor who recently experienced a tragic loss. Or how about that kid on your street who’s always causing trouble? Needs surround us if we have eyes to see them – and every need is an opportunity for kindness.