Central Thought: Every Believer should demonstrate kindness.
Text: Romans 12:9-10; John 15:12, 13, 17; Galatians 6:9-10.
Love to one another was a cardinal commandment that the Lord Jesus left with His disciples (John 15:12-13). Kindness is a demonstration of love. He demonstrated the kind of love He was teaching them by His sacrificial death on Calvary. He expected His disciples to show the same to one another. Actually He expected it to become the trade mark of their discipleship (John 13:35).
The problem is that showing kindness to others at times does not come so easy. There is this tendency of refraining from people who are different from us racially, socially and religiously. The Jews for example had no dealings with the Gentiles, hence Apostle Peter was initially reluctant to visit the house of Cornelius, until the revelation was made plain to him by God (Acts 10:10-22).
Love and kindness among Christians is more convincing and carries a stamp of genuiness if the obstacles and prejudices that hinder true Christian fellowship are removed. We must allow the Holy Spirit to spread the genuine love of Christ in our hearts, so that we can learn to treat everybody with true brotherly kindness.
What do we understand by brotherly kindness?
Kindness is a tool that displays Christian ethics. Thus, brotherly kindness is the friendly and affectionate disposition we have towards one another that is borne out of our relationship as brethren.
In Galatians 6:10, Apostle Paul emphasized this fact when he said that we are to do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Members of the body of Christ have the unique qualification of being joint heirs in Christ Jesus. Whatever is done to any member of the body of Christ is done to the Lord (Matthew 25:40). It is for this reason that the believer must not miss any opportunity to show kindness to them.
How can we practically express brotherly kindness? Acts 2:44-45; Matthew 25:35-40; Galatians 6:1-2
Every intended act of brotherly kindness not expressed is of no value. A cup of water in the name of the Lord offered, as little as it may be, has its reward. As we interact with members of the body of Christ, we are confronted daily with situations that require our response. For example, we demonstrate brotherly kindness by our acceptance and willingness to associate with a brother or sister in the Lord, irrespective of the social class of the individual. The church is made up of people who are differently placed in society. Segregation based on class prevails in the larger society, but in the body of Christ, God frowns at it when we have respect of persons (James 2:1). We are therefore admonished to condescend to men of low estate (Romans 12:16).
This character attribute is also practically expressed in our willingness to share our resources with the less privileged in our midst not as refuges but as joint heirs in Christ (Acts 2:45).
Brotherly kindness is also manifested when we go out of our way to seek out those who have fallen with a view of helping and restoring them to the faith, especially at a time when most people are unwilling to associate with them. Apostle Paul admonishes in Galatians 6:1 that we who are spiritual should seek to restore such a person in the spirit of meekness. Let us always seek to restore such ones because they are our brethren, as this is pleasing to the Lord.
Enumerate the hindrances to brotherly kindness. Philippians 2:4; James 2:1-5
There is a growing syndrome of sectionalism and organizing of tribal union in the church, this rubs off the true love of Christ among the brethren. Selfishness and materialism does not the display of this wholesome attribute (2 Timothy 3:2). The rich fool was centered round himself (Luke 12:15-21) and could not have the opportunity firstly to give glory to God for giving him power to make wealth and secondly the opportunity of thinking of others who are not as privileged as himself. Poverty complex may have been a hindrance to some. Kindness should be expressed in the use of our talents, gifts, abilities and wealth. Love is debt we owe one another and we all have the ability of paying if only we are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
What are those other things that will help us to continue in brotherly kindness? Galatians 5:25-26; Ephesians 2:10
We must first of all allow the love of God to rule our hearts. It is only then that we shall be in position to what the Lord expects of us. When love rules our heart it will not be difficult to forgive the wrong done against us by our brethren; and it is easy for us to show mercy with cheerfulness (Romans 2:8).
Practical gifts, visitations are symbolic of good works. Every child of God is created to do good works. Vengeance should not be conceived among us. Rather with a heart of kindness we should be ready to overlook faults, so that we can keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Instead of waiting for those who offend us to offer apology, let us seek them with the aim of forgiving them and winning them back. Apostle Paul admonishes that we can choose the path to suffer wrong when even we are not at fault, for peace sake.
It is love that breaks the spirit of selfishness, self-centeredness and materialism in us and gives grace to be concerned about the well-being of our brethren.
Daily Living Application
We must be ready to identify with all who hold the faith that we share, irrespective of their estate. It will also be wisdom for those who have been so treated not to abuse or take for granted the love shown to them.
We must also understand that the Lord Jesus is not physically present. He nevertheless lives among us. We must therefore be careful what we do to the brethren. When we fail to feed them, offer a cup of water, take them in as strangers, clothe their nakedness and visit them in prison, it is the Lord that we have neglected (Matthew 25:41-45).