As Paul wrote to the believers at Ephesus, he called
upon them to exhibit to all with whom they came in contact, the evidence
of their conversion. Grace makes some radical changes in the life of the
one who receives it. In this text, Paul called upon believers to "be ye
kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another." How many
of our conflicts would disappear if we would all put the words of this
verse into practice in our daily lives?
A little kindness goes a long way in calming the wrath
of one we may have offended. Solomon said in Prov. 15:1,
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words
stir up anger.
How many troubles could be avoided if we would all
display the spirit of kindness? James said in James 3:2 …
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend
not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the
whole body.
How wonderful if would be if we could learn to emulate
our Lord in this area of life. Peter said,
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in
his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who,
when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously
[I Pet. 2:21-23. ].
Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy that was made by Isaiah 740 years
before He was born.
…he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he
opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as
a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth [Isa.
53:7].
The ability to hold one’s tongue when tempted to speak
harsh and cutting words is something that grace imparts. By nature, we
tend to strike back (hoping – intending – desiring) to inflict a greater
wound than received. This is what Jesus meant in the Sermon on the Mount
when He said,
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also [Matt.
5:39].
We have all heard the expression, "The milk of human
kindness." We all know from experience that we deeply appreciate it
when others show us kindness. The word kind simply means "that
which is virtuous, good, mild, pleasant, the opposite of harsh, hard,
sharp or bitter." Can you not see how important it is to be kind one
to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another?
Paul breaks this injunction down into three simple acts
and bases them all upon our seeking to emulate our Heavenly Father in
being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving to us.
THE FIRST ACT IS KINDNESS:
This is a chief characteristic of God- Neh. 9:17; Ps. 117:2; Joel
2:13;
Jonah 4:2; Luke 6:35.
1. This is one of the fruits of true love- I Cor. 13:4.
2. It helps avoid conflicts- Gen. 20:13; II Chron. 10:7.
It is one of the progressive fruits of righteousness- II Pet.
1:7.
THE SECOND ACT IS TENDERHEARTEDNESS:
A. This is sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others.
This enables us to make sacrifices in order to minister to
others- Prov.
31:26; I John 3:17, 18.
C. This will bring us personal joy and satisfaction.
THE FINAL ACT IS FORGIVENESS:
Those who know that they have been forgiven, becoming forgiving.
No man has ever been wronged more than he has wronged God.
We are commanded to forgive as we have been forgiven- Matt. 6:12;
Matt 18:21, 22.
Forgiveness does not remove the consequences for wrongs, but it
does
restore fellowship.
Let us all seek to apply the admonition of Paul in our
own lives and strive to be kind and tenderhearted and forgiving, just as
God has forgiven us. What a better life it will be for us and those around
us if we will exhibit these traits in everyday life.
RON’S ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
If you found brother Henry’s comments helpful, you
might be challenged by reading his book. You may order it, as follows:
The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ
By Jimmy Henry
344 Hickory Creek
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75483
Please send $8 (includes postage)
In a previous article, I noted that I had only heard
one entire sermon on kindness. The author of this article is the one that
delivered it. I was in the audience. Jimmy did a very good job, as you can
see from his notes here. Thank you Jimmy.
I asked many preachers and teachers if they had ever
preached an entire sermon on kindness or tenderheartedness (all answering,
"No). Here is a quote that I received from one of them. I will withhold
his name.
As a matter of fact, I never did. And never
heard one. Strange, isn't it, since that's one of the basics of
the love of God and love of others upon which all the teachings of our
Lord are based? Sometimes, I just wonder how much else -- really
important things -- we've left untouched and unlearned. Sad.
If I'm not mistaken, the following poem was in a frame,
sitting on something next to my mother’s casket at her funeral:
KINDNESS
I shall pass through this world but once. If
therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can
do, let me do it now; let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall
not pass this way again.
In ending, "…be ye kind one toward another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another." Not only is that the fruit of
the Spirit, but they are also the unseen things of the basileia
(kingdom) of the Almighty One. The kingdom "is within you." If it
isn’t, is it not time that you let YHVH (God) reign in your hearts? What a
pleasant and peaceful world we would have if we all let YHVH into our
hearts and practiced these things. Why not share these thoughts with
others? Maybe we can make it as contagious as yawning – smile.