Diving Into Love: "Love Is Kind"

Continuing our study from our anchor passage I. Cor. 13:4-7:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

We progress to the next characteristic of love, which is being kind or having kindness. So, we begin by asking, what is kindness?

Kindness-is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate according to the Oxford English dictionary. It also includes qualities of warmheartedness, goodness, and helpfulness according to the Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible. 

So, there's a lot of good stuff packed into being kind to people. Just this idea of being kind fills me with happiness. I want to be kind to people. I want to be nice to people. I want those qualities of kindness to flow out of me by the Holy Spirit working through me. 

As we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, we can be friendly, generous, considerate, warmhearted, good, and helpful. This how to love people, by showing them kindness.

Now, let's dive into scriptures related to kindness:

Psalms 112:4 NIV

[4] Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Proverbs 19:22 NIV

[22] What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.

Isaiah 58:6-7 NIV

[6] “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Romans 12:10 NIV

[10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 

2 Corinthians 6:3-6 NIV

[3] We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. [4] Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; [5] in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; [6] in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

[32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:12 NIV

[12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV

[5] For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

So, loving all people involves kindness. Again, our outflowing actions to all people regardless of how they treat us. Be kind to everyone because we represent Jesus and want them to go to heaven too.

Next, we will jump into envy!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post