5. KINDNESS

April 3, 2019

  • Value opposed to Selfishness and Stinginess

This is week four in our personal witnessing journey. So far, we discussed:

  1. Today, I Began with Prayer
  2. I Must Confess All Sin
  3. I Must Desire to Witness

 

Today, we discuss: Develop Concern for a Specific Lost Person.

Replying to a particular lawyer’s question what he should do to inherit eternal life, Jesus told the parable of a man who traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho who fell among robbers.  They beat and stripped him of his clothes and left him close to death.

In quick succession, two fellow Jews, a priest, and a Levite came upon the helpless man. Both men, seeing the victim’s need passed by without helping.

Soon a certain Samaritan arrived upon the scene. He surveyed the situation and realized the injured man was of another nationality. Without thinking about his own safety he administered first aid, and, put the wounded man on his donkey and brought him to an inn. Before the Samaritan departed the next morning, he instructed the innkeeper to, “Take care of him and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.”

When Jesus completed His story, He asked the lawyer, “Which of these three—the priest, Levite, or the Samaritan—was the neighbor to the injured man?” The lawyer answered, “The one who showed kindness toward him.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

This parable provides evidence that kindness, compassion, and mercy are actions, not intentions. It is not enough to feel sympathy. One must be compassionate.

An act of kindness reflects our humble gratitude to God for His kindness. Scripture says, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not based on deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4, 5).

Commit today to acquire the value of KINDNESS. The Bible says expressing kindness to our neighbor is more important than performing ritual sacrifices to God. Jesus said it well, “I desire compassion (kindness), and not sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7b).

Core Values Affirmation: “My daily walk reflects KINDNESS because I am a kind person.”

In my walk, I find the more kindness I give, the more kindness I receive.

Bible Verse. “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32).