2 Corinthians 6:6; By Kindness

2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Kindness speaks of a gracious attitude undergirded by goodness. It is manifested by gentleness, of temper, and of spirit. By endeavouring to evince this spirit to all, whatever may be their treatment of us, and whatever may be our provocations. Paul felt that if a minister would do good, he must be kind and gentle to all. [Barnes]

Jesus taught His disciples “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This teaching of benevolence is the outworking of this character of kindness. How is it that when we give, we lose something that we have given away and yet we are more blessed? This truth has to be understood by faith. I believe this is true and therefore I do as instructed and experience God’s greater blessing. This is a perspective that is beyond the carnal mind. It can be understood only in the context of God’s supernatural love, as it were injected into our bloodstream, enabling us to give sacrificially and unconditionally. We are in our natural self, self-seeking and self-satisfying. This change is the power of the gospel experienced when the believer put to death the old man and put on the new man.

When the chief tax-collector Zacchaeus met Jesus and repented of his sins, he said to his Lord in Luke 19:8 “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” He showed kindness to the poor and he was willing to make restitution for anyone he has wronged. This is the disposition of a God-fearer, one who is fully aware of his utter unworthiness and sinfulness and how he has been forgiven much and therefore he is able to forgive much also.

May the Lord bless His people with the spirit of kindness. Amen.