1 Corinthians 13:4a (NKJV) Love suffers long and is kind;
In the original Greek version, the word kindness (“chrestotes”) in the opening Scripture means a gracious attitude, benevolence in action, kindliness which disposes one to do good, a goodness in action and expressed in deed. It delights in contributing to the happiness of others.
2 Samuel 9:7 (NKJV) So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
David is a type of Christ in the Old Testament and he understood what it means to honour the covenant commitment. David did not kill all the descendants of the previous king after the death of King Saul and his son, Jonathan in order to protect himself. Instead, he sought to show kindness towards the household of Jonathan because of his covenant agreement with Jonathan by sending people to look for Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth in Lo Debar. He restored the land that belonged to King Saul and offered Mephibosheth to eat at the king’s table. It was purely kindness and the extending grace or unmerited favour to Mephibosheth. This is a good biblical example of kindness.
Likewise, God sent forth His son to save us when we were dead in our sins and trespasses. We were not worthy to be even looked upon by a holy, just and righteous God. Nevertheless, God showed forth His kindness to us when He came in search for sinners who were lost. Just like Mephibosheth in Lo Debar, we were living in hopelessness without God, but God restored to us a position where we are called His children so we can be seated with Christ in the heavenly places. It was God’s kindness towards sinners.
Therefore, we should likewise show forth kindness to the people around us. As a start, we can work at being kind to our spouse and family members by going the extra mile to make them feel loved, cherished and accepted unconditionally. We can also show kindness to those in the household of believers. What kind of kindness can you show to those whom you work with daily, and how can you show kindness to the people who are in need and suffering in the wider community?
Sermon Series: Fruit of the Holy Spirit – Patience, Kindness, Goodness and Gentleness
回报上帝的恩慈
加拉太书5:22-23 圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制。这样的事，没有律法禁止。
当生活在残酷的现实世界中，我们很容易忘记恩慈。但因着耶稣基督先爱了我们，并显明了祂的恩慈，我们就能够爱和有恩慈。
哥林多前书13:4 爱是恒久忍耐，又有恩慈
在希腊原文中，开篇圣经中的恩慈(“chrestotes”)一词的意思是仁慈的态度、仁慈的行动、是让人做好事、有好行为及表现在行事上；恩慈是乐于为他人的幸福做出贡献。
撒母耳记下9:7 大卫说，你不要惧怕，我必因你父亲约拿单的缘故施恩与你，将你祖父扫罗的一切田地都归还你。你也可以常与我同席吃饭。
大卫在旧约中是基督的一种，他明白守约的意味。在扫罗和他的儿子约拿单死后，大卫并没有为保护自己而杀死所有扫罗的后裔；相反地，因着他与约拿单的约，他寻求向约拿单家人显现恩慈：派人到罗底巴寻找约拿单的儿子米非波设，恢复了属于扫罗王的土地，并邀请米非波设和他同席吃饭。这是对米非波设纯粹的恩慈和延伸的恩典或恩宠优待。这是圣经里一个有关恩慈的好例子。
同样，上帝差派祂的儿子来拯救已经死在罪和过犯中的我们。我们甚至不配被圣洁、公道和正义的上帝看上一眼；然而上帝来寻找迷失的罪人并施于恩慈。没有上帝，我们生活在绝望中，就像在罗底巴的米非波设，但上帝使我们恢复了被称为祂儿女的位份，因此我们可在天上与基督同坐。这就是上帝对罪人的恩慈。
因此，我们也应向周围的人显示恩慈。首先，我们可以加倍努力地对自己的配偶和家人恩慈：让他们感受到无条件地被爱、被珍视和被接受。我们也可以向主内家人们显示恩慈。你可以向每天与之打交道的人表现出怎样的恩慈、又如何向广大社区中有需要和遭受苦难的人表现出恩慈呢？
讲章系列：圣灵所结的果子 — 忍耐、恩慈、良善和 温柔