Kindness

The Scriptures teach that divine kindness is to be reflected in the human experience. Indeed, expressing kindness to other human beings is moreimportant than performing ritual sacrifice to God ( Hosea 6:6 ; Matt 9:13 ; 12:7 ). Thus, we are to love kindness ( Mic6:8 ) and to be children of the Most High, exhibiting his kindness and mercy ( Luke 6:35-36 ).Even more direct is the simple injunction to be kind ( Eph 4:32 ). Kindness often finds a place in the lists of Christian virtues ( 1 Col 13:4 ; Col 3:12 ). Paul cantake the injunction a step further and claim to exemplify kindness in his own life to adegree that commends his ministry as authentic ( 2 Cor 6:6 ).

Yet human imitation of God's kindness does not come naturally. In fact, ultimately noone is kind ( Psalm14:3 ; Rom 3:12 ).It is only as the fruit of God's Spirit that kindness can be a consistent part of the believer's experience ( Gal 5:22 ). - David K. Huttar