Be Kind

 YouTube Channel Video Devo

https://youtu.be/4okV6-m1les

“Be Kind”

John 12:34-35 NLT

So now I am giving you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

I have come to really come to appreciate the phrase “Be Kind” that I have noticed on t-shirts and signs. I don’t know how long this phrase has been surfacing or who came up with the idea to put it out there so much lately, but every time I see this, it makes me smile. Through the years, I’ve cringed at some popular phrases and sayings that have shown up in various places that are worldly.

When I think of the idea of being kind, I cannot help but to think of so many of the words Jesus used as He shared the important command for us to love one another. “Be Kind” is such a simple example, but its effects can be profound when we actually live it out. Just imagine for a few moments what this world would look like if we, as Christians, actually started being kind, not only to people we enjoy being around, but to everyone, regardless of how different they are?

Friends, we have been called to a mission in this world, and quite frankly, we are failing much of the time. I hate to bring that up, but it is true. We say we want a world that is full of God’s love so people can experience it, but that truly begins with how we are treating other people. God commands us to love each other unconditionally. How in the world do we expect the world to believe we are all about God’s love if we don’t prove it by our actions and the way we treat others?

I am pointing the finger at myself on this because I have a long way to go on treating others with love. I’m not saying I don’t, but there are plenty of people that annoy me and are different and I try to avoid them instead of being kind to them as Jesus commanded me to do.

Be Kind. It’s such a simple idea! Two words! However, it’s one of the hardest things for many of us to do. Jesus chose to love us. Take a few moments and realize that you are sometimes very hard to love and deal with for others. I saw a saying one time and it really hit me. It said, “Love difficult people….You’re one of them”. Ouch! Let’s take an honest look at ourselves and realize that we could all be doing much better at being kind to people, especially those we don’t like being around.

After watching The Chosen series, it’s really challenged my thinking in how Jesus intentionally loved on those, especially ones who were different and seemed very unlovable. He was being kind. He was firm, but He was kind. He lived out that mission.

Let’s do a better job of living out the mission of Jesus. Let’s be kind to others. Let’s show the world His love.