A GOOD WAY TO WITNESS -- Devotional for July 30, from "Good Seeds"

Be kind to one another. (Ephesians 4:32)

There are many kinds of people in the world. Differences in the population of mankind can be seen very clearly when we consider things like race, gender, nationality, age, personality type, intelligence, skills, tastes and preferences, etc. Just as God put great variety in the plant and animal kingdom, so He built into the family of man the potential and capacity for tremendous variety – and that’s a good thing, right? But there are a few areas where deviation from a certain standard gets us in trouble. One of those has to do with the way we treat one another. The very fact that we are so different from one another can cause us to be intolerant, even hateful, towards those with whom we can find almost nothing in common. But this is a violation of the cardinal rule for interpersonal relationships that Paul expressed in his letter to the Ephesians. Now this was a church made up of people who were highly sophisticated in culture, and well advanced and mature in their Christian faith, too. But as he got to know them he discovered they were failing miserably in this most rudimentary area: being kind to one another. When Jesus was asked what is the most important of all God’s laws, He answered, “Well, it’s a tie: ‘Love God, and love your neighbor.’” If that’s true, then the Ephesian church was in a sad state of relational disrepair, for not only did Paul have to remind them to be kind to one another, but Jesus Himself had to reprove them regarding their lack of love toward God: “I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). The truth of the matter can be summarized in this one concise statement: “If you’re not kind, you’re the wrong kind!” There is no superior race or nation; extroverts are not better than introverts; women are not inferior to men; city dwellers are not more favored by heaven than country folk; and, it’s not wrong to live “on the wrong side of the tracks.” BUT, it is definitely wrong to be unkind to your fellow man, or to any other part of God’s creation, for that matter. Yes, I think we can say unequivocally that there is a clear distinction between right and wrong when it comes to our treatment of one another. Kindness is the rule. What is kindness? It is thinking of the comfort and well-being of another, and saying and doing whatever furthers those conditions. Jesus said it takes no effort to be kind to those who are kind to you, but when you can treat an enemy with kindness, and “do good to those who hate you and despitefully use you.” you are on the way to becoming a kind person. What does kindness accomplish? Paul tells us the ultimate fruit of kindness: “Is it not the kindness of God that leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:14). Want to bring someone to God today? Then show a little kindness – or maybe a lot!