
Both he and his wife took this amazing risk, putting their lives on the line to show kindness to this little boy with a death sentence. The former king’s daughter (Jehoshabeath) saved little Joash from the slaughter and hid him with her husband the high priest (Jehoiada) in the house of the Lord.įor seven years, Jehoiada hid Joash with him while the usurper queen ruled Judah. Actually, it turned out that she killed all the heirs except one: a baby named Joash. The story is found in 2 Chronicles 22 and 23, and it begins with evil Queen Athaliah taking the throne of Judah after murdering all the rightful heirs.

We are to become like Him so we can be in His family forever! An example of kindness to followĪn amazing display of kindness can be found during one of the darkest times in the ancient kingdom of Judah. We are to reflect the light and example of His compassion, mercy and kindness. Why does God want us to demonstrate kindness? We are tools to extend God’s lovingkindness and mercy to the world. God raised up deliverers and sent prophets who tried to help the people.Įphesians 4:32 states: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Verse 31 reveals the implied opposite: “Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking.” These are clearly traits God does not want in His chosen people! Biblical history shows that God’s mercy and kindness was many times shown through people He inspired. The same will be true of us if we follow His example and are merciful and kind as He is. Though God’s tender mercies and lovingkindnesses are often taken for granted, His servants recognize His hand.
#Gifts of the holy spirit bible verse free#
He also gives us free choice to live as we please, though He deeply wants us to choose His way of life, knowing that it is the only way that will bring true happiness. Psalm 25:6 makes an interesting point about the origin of kindness: “Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they are from of old.” God created the world as well as humanity, and He graciously allows us to live here. The first section of Proverbs 19:22 states, “What is desired in a man is kindness.” Why? Why would God consider this trait so important? Why does God want us to demonstrate kindness? Basically kindness means a way of thinking that leads to doing thoughtful deeds for others. Kindness is humbly giving of ourselves in love and mercy to others who may not be able to give anything back, who sometimes don’t deserve it, and who frequently don’t thank us for it. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” What is kindness? It is based on the mind-set described in Philippians 2:3-4: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Peter wrote of adding love to “brotherly kindness” ( 2 Peter 1:7), while Paul wrote about putting on “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:13). Throughout the Bible, two other qualities are often associated with kindness: love and mercy. Proverbs 20:28 describes qualities God wants in a leader: “Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness he upholds his throne” (emphasis added throughout). Christians should show kindness by behaving toward others as God has behaved toward them.” Basically it means “doing thoughtful deeds to others.” It is what the means when it declares that ‘God is good,’ as it so frequently does. According to the Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, the Greek word translated kindness here is “the divine kindness out of which God acts toward humankind. Kindness is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. People like to receive it, but often don’t really see the benefit of being kind. Unfortunately, people who base their thinking on a “survival of the fittest” mentality may not see the rationale for true kindness.

It’s easy to pick out the people who are showing kindness! Yet there are also many people who let others go ahead of them in line, compliment those around them, hurry to open doors for people, sympathize with others’ misfortune and show their humility and willingness to serve others.
#Gifts of the holy spirit bible verse full#
Our world is full of people who cut in line, insult those around them, don’t open doors for old ladies and people with groceries, laugh at others’ misfortunes and try to show their superiority by dragging others down.
