by Michael A. Asher

 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-45, NIV).

 

Certain Scriptures can be very hard to put into practice; others can be difficult to comprehend. When Jesus shared this instruction in the Gospel of Matthew, he wasn’t speaking only to his followers of that time—he was also speaking to all those who would choose to follow him in the future. Last Sunday, in our current teaching series at church, our lead pastor, Brad Wilson, talked about what Jesus had to say about loving our enemies. If you missed that teaching, you can check it out here.

 

Jesus said that to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is the second greatest commandment. But, Lord, “Who is my neighbor?” With this question, the parable of the Good Samaritan was revealed. Here, a Jewish man was robbed and beaten, left to die. A Jewish priest and a Levite passed by, but it was the “hated” Samaritan who saved him. The point of Jesus’ story was this: everyone is your neighbor, from the stranger, the widow, the orphan, and even your enemy. We are to show merciful kindness to EVERYONE, not just those we know and already care about.

 

Every person you encounter in this life is a beloved child of God, even those who upset you, hurt you, anger you, or frustrate you. “Love your enemies . . . do good to them that hate you.” “He who does not love his brother, how is it possible for him to love God who is invisible?” Jesus didn’t just die to save those who treated him well; he also died for those who beat him, spit on him, humiliated him, whipped him, nailed him to the cross, and ultimately murdered him.

 

John the apostle, known as the “apostle of love,” said this:

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13, NIV).

 

The Perfect Example

Jesus was perfectly selfless in everything he did. Flowing unceasingly from him, kindness was his lifestyle. He took notice for the cause of the needy, intentionally and consistently seeking them out—even when he was tired and weary. Without partiality, he was kind to everyone, even if they didn’t deserve it. He turned no one away. Through the shedding of his blood on the cross, he demonstrated his love for the entirety of humanity—the ultimate act of kindness. Christ is the perfect role model of kindness for all of us to witness.

 

Not only did Jesus demonstrate this kind of love, he requires us to be merciful and compassionate for even our enemies. This can be genuine evidence of the spiritually mature believer. All too often, we select with whom we will share kindness. This can drastically limit our personal acts of kindness to only friends or those from whom we might benefit. However, Christ calls us to be kind to those less fortunate than ourselves who have nothing, can offer nothing, and who have no ability to repay our good deeds.

 

Rather than revenge, Jesus calls us to bless our enemies, knowing that through kindness we can soften their hearts. Our friends are easy for us to love, but we are called to be a friend to the friendless. Kindness is selfless, but contagious; its greatest power is revealed in practice to our enemies and among the least of those around us.

 

So, what does biblical kindness look like? It looks like Christ. Not just for a season or a day of the year, kindness is for every moment of every day; it’s a habit, a lifestyle, a continual practice. It is intentional, taking time and patience, giving of ourselves by placing the needs of others above our own, even when we are tired or weary. As we intentionally show kindness each day, we shine the light of Christ to a dying world in need of a Savior, a generation in need of love and grace.

 

One Person at a Time

Every person has within himself the ability to be kind, if only he would choose to do so. The impact that genuine kindness can have on others is often underestimated. A simple act of kindness can literally change someone’s life for the better. Kindness can soften the hardest of hearts and can accomplish what force cannot. Kindness solidifies relationships, sets the greatest of examples for others to witness, opens doors, and creates lifelong friendships when invested consistently and wisely. Being kind to others not only has a direct and positive effect on others, it also has a positive impact on yourself. Kindness can be invested into every circumstance or interaction, whether you already have a relationship with a person or you have just met them. You simply have to be intentional in being kind to everyone. When you employ kindness, it makes you the most beautiful person in the world at that moment, regardless of what you look like.

 

When someone has endured cruel and uncaring people in their lives, a simple and innocent gesture of kindness can change their view of the world. Every single act of kindness ripples through the world with no predictable end. If every person who has received an act of kindness would become inspired to perform an act of kindness for others, just imagine the cumulative difference the world could experience! Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.

 

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always bless the one who receives the heartfelt gestures and the one who gives them. Most people who are inspired to do things for other people through kindness don’t do so because of who the person is or what they will do in return, but because of who they are inside. When you carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, knowing that one day the person receiving your kindness might be inclined to pay the kindness forward to someone else, it leaves you with the satisfaction that you have made the world a better place.

 

Jesus has shown us how to love and instructed us to love others as he has loved us (see John 13:34). God has given you the ability to be kind toward others and love them as Jesus does. But you have to be intentional in doing that, realizing that your acts of kindness are really acts of love. Everyone wants to make a positive difference in the world; being kind to others is a great way to do that. The world truly needs people who are intentionally kind to others. Be Jesus to someone today, make him your role model, and kindness your lifestyle. Wherever you go, whatever you do, and whomever you see today, decide to be kind, and see what happens when you do.

 

Michael A. Asher is a financial controller who has nourished a lifelong love of the Bible by sharing God’s Word through creative writing. His first book, Choosing to Follow Jesus on This Journey Called Life, was recently released. You can find it here.