Sunday, July 17, 2016

July 18, 2016

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness....." Colossians 3:12

Jesus once told His followers not to be overly concerned about what they wear but trust the Heavenly Father to provide for them.

Obviously, God is concerned enough about our physical well-being and according to the Apostle Paul, He cares how we adorn ourselves spiritually as well.

As Christ-followers we are to put on compassion AND kindness.

Kindness has a good connotation in English but an even more powerful one in Greek. The Greek rendering has the idea of "loaning your strength" someone who is struggling. But when you loan your strength to one who is weak you are careful not to do it from a position of superiority.

Kindness is helping someone else at a time they need some extra strength and loaning them strength in a way you would want to be strengthened if you were having a weak moment. When you are weak you feel vulnerable and afraid and you don't need someone who wants to help you to make himself feel better. So, when you loan your strength to someone else do it to help them not for selfish reasons.

I'm sure there has been a time or two in your life when you were feeling weak and someone stronger came beside loaning you the strength you needed. 

Kindness is what Jesus extends to you on a daily basis as you acknowledge your weakness to Him. He does it generously and yet graciously.

He calls you to do the same! Clothe yourself with kindness.