Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. (Colossians 3:12) 

 

Notice the word clothe. The Greek word literally means “put on.” What Paul is saying here is that when we wake up in the morning, we ought to get dressed spiritually and emotionally as well as physically. When we wake up in the morning and decide what to wear, we should also ask ourselves, “What kind of attitude am I going to wear today?” 

 

Paul says kindness is a choice. It is something we can choose to “put on” every day. 

 

Kindness is “love in action” — a practical expression of love. It is visible and active, not just emotional. There is a song that says, “Find the need and fill it. Find the hurt and heal it.” That is kindness. 

 

But why should we be kind? After all, kindness can be risky. We might be misunderstood if we are kind to others. They might think, “Why is this person being so nice? What’s in it for him?” People we are kind to also might take advantage of us. They might become parasites with the attitude, “Oh, here’s a sucker. I’ll milk him for all he’s worth.” 

 

Despite the risks, we are to be kind for two reasons. First, we are to be kind because God is kind to us. Ephesians 2:8

says, 

 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. 

 

Grace and kindness always go together. Poet Robert Burns said that the kind heart most resembles God. We should be kind just because God is kind to us. 

 

The other reason we should be kind is that we want people to be kind to us. We want to be treated right. Jesus said, 

 

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them — Matthew 7:12 

 

If you are rude to other people, they are going to be rude to you. But if you are kind, most people will want to respond the same way. Proverbs 21:21 says, 

 

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 

 

In Proverbs 11:17 we read, 

 

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 

 

So when we are kind, we are really doing ourselves a favor. 

 

So often we excuse ourselves when we are unkind. “That person deserved it.” “She just annoyed me.” “If I’m kind, he will see me giving an inch and he will take a mile.” Today, let’s ask the Lord to point out to us when we’re unkind and how we can respond with the kindness of Jesus instead, and pay attention to what He reveals. 

 

I pray this devotion blesses you, I feel it is a wonderful reminder that is needed for each and every one of us. Let’s respond with the kindness of Jesus today. 

 

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 

 

Today’s Reading is 1 John 4:9