Eventually, everything on the earth will come to an end, and the world as we know it will no longer exist. There will be no more suffering and all will clearly know that God is indeed kind beyond measure. Because we will be face to face with Him, there will be nothing to stand between Him and us, which means there will be nothing to distort this reality. Even now, by virtue of His Word and a relationship with Him, you can know His kind intentions toward you. Some have yet to awaken to His kindness because they haven’t fully vested themselves into the relationship. Should they fully commit, they would find there is no one kinder than God. None!
It’s fascinating that some people would accuse God of being cruel, as if they are kinder than Him. Of that number, there are those whose kindness is cruel at best. Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion (“kindness” –KJV) of the wicked is cruel. It’s man’s cruelty that brings cruelty to haunt him. Obviously, there is the maliciousness of the devil who seeks to devour souls. One of his devises he uses is accusation, and he loves to whisper lies about our Father in order to tempt us to falsely accuse Him. Moreover, he seeks to mask Father’s kind intentions toward us through hateful schemes against us, and then blames Him. If someone believes God is cruel, he will push Him away instead of drawing near. He moves from faith to fear.
What is kindness or what does it mean to be kind? According to the dictionary, kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. It refers to warmheartedness, affection, warmth, gentleness, concern, care; consideration and so on. As an adjective: having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature. In the Bible it has to do with moral excellence and is rendered as “easy” (as in “My yoke is easy” –Matthew 11:30); “better”; “gentleness”; “goodness,” or to be “gracious.” Everyone has an idea of their own as to what it looks like.
True kindness is based on love, and apart from love, it takes on a different meaning. Kindness that comes from love is outward focused –it is only concerned with the recipient. Kindness apart from love is self-serving. It seeks to benefit the one giving it in return for the kindness extended. It’s more concerned more about reputation than actually being gracious. In a nutshell, kindness devoid of love is a form of hypocrisy.
The kindness of God extends mercy and grace. Romans 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness (“goodness” –KJV) of God leads you to repentance? It changes the way we think.
The kindness of God works through our circumstances, as many are so familiar with Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Have you considered that many injuries in life we suffer are often self-inflicted? So many blame God for the heartaches they themselves caused. Of course, there are negative circumstances and hurts caused by others and the devil. Regardless of how they came, He will use them to draw people to Himself where they find healing and restoration. In numerous cases, people have found Jesus and called upon His Name and were saved. As the saying goes, “Some have to hit bottom before they look up.” Perhaps, it’s more kind to allow someone to fail than to always try to bail them out of trouble. God does discipline those He loves (see Hebrews 12:4-11), using those things for which they’re responsible. He does not cause the hardships He has been so wrongfully accused of doing. He does save people from the pit they put themselves in, but usually when they ask or someone intercedes for them. He makes provision for our pits we throw ourselves in after digging them. His kindness has to maneuver around our will. He does not impose His on us.
Has it occurred to you that the many things you enjoy so much are the result of His kindness toward you? He so intentional and equal. He is even kind to those who hate Him.
Matthew 5:44-48 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
By being kind to those who don’t know Jesus yet, they may come to know Him by our living graciously. Think about it, Jesus went about doing good, and even spent time with those who were considered the riff-raff of society. His kindness, like His love, is unconditional.
