DRAWING NEAR
August 14
Showing Kindness
"Love is kind" (1 Cor. 13:4).
Kindness repays evil with good.
Two men going opposite directions on a narrow mountain trail met each
other head on. With a steep cliff on one side and sheer rock on the
other, they were unable to pass. The harder they tried to squeeze
past one another the more frustrated they became. The situation
seemed hopeless until one of them, without saying a word, simply laid
down on the trail, allowing the other man to walk over him. That
illustrates kindness, which doesn't mind getting walked on if it
benefits someone else.
The Greek word translated "kind" in 1 Corinthians 13:4 literally
means "useful," "serving," or "gracious." It isn't simply the sweet
attitude we usually associate with kindness; it's the idea of being
useful to others. It's the flip side of patience. Patience endures
abuses from others; kindness repays them with good deeds.
God committed the supreme act of kindness when He provided salvation
for lost sinners. Titus 3:3-5 says, "We also once were foolish
ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and
pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one
another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for
mankind appeared, He saved us."
Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My load is light" (Matt. 11:29-30). The word
translated "easy" is translated "kind" in 1 Corinthians 13:4. Jesus
was saying, "Trust in Me and I'll redeem you and show you My
kindness."
Since "you have tasted the kindness of the Lord" (1 Pet. 2:3), you
should be anxious to show kindness to others. That's what Paul wanted
the Corinthian believers to do. He knew they had the capacity, but
they needed to repent of their selfish ways and allow love to
dominate their lives.
Suggestions for Prayer:
The evil world in which we live gives abundant opportunity for you to
express kindness to others. Ask the Lord to help you take full
advantage of every opportunity to do so today.
For Further Study:
Read Matthew 5:38-48, noting the practical expressions of kindness
Jesus instructed His followers to pursue.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Matthew 5:38-48
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth.'
39 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps
you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him
have your cloak also.
41 "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from
you do not turn away.
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.'
44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use
you and persecute you,
45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His
sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and
on the unjust.
46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not
even the tax collectors do the same?
47 "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than
others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is
perfect.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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